Aviation Minister declares concession of Ekiti, Benue new airports

By Peace Busar

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has declared that 10 new airports would come up in the country in Benue, Ekiti, Nasarawa, Yobe, in addition others taken over by the Federal Government, namely Gombe, Kebbi, Dutse, and Zuru airports.

He also added that the Federal Government would deliver a new national carrier- Nigeria Air – in 2021.

He said adequate preparations had been made and that N78.96 billion had been budgeted in the 2021 Appropriation Bill to implement the plan for a new national carrier, among other projects.

The establishment of the national carrier, he said, would be carried out in partnership with the private sector.

He said, “In 2021, the sum of N78.960 billion is being proposed for capital expenditure at the headquarters in the aviation ministry and the emphasis will focus on the implementation of the Aviation Roadmap as directed by President.

“The roadmap would be implemented through Public-Private Partnership (PPP), topmost of which will be the establishment of a national carrier.”

Other projects to be executed, according  to him, are the establishment of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRC) facility, Agro-Allied Cargo Infrastructure, Aviation Leasing Company, Search and Rescue Unit and Aerospace University with the support of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).