Abdullahi
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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has rejected the proposed renovation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, describing it as a misplaced priority.
In a statement Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, it said what Nigeria’s aviation sector needs is proper maintenance, efficiency, and regional airport expansion instead of spending over N712 billion on the planned renovation, adding that the
decision was outrageous, in view of the country’s current economic circumstances.
The ADC wondered why a whopping ₦712 billion would be spent on renovating an airport that already received substantial upgrades and remains fully functional.
The party said the proposed sum of about $500 million is what was used to construct four new airports in 2014.
“These included airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt, all built with a Chinese loan still awaiting repayment,” it said.
According to the statement, former President Muhammadu Buhari had commissioned a new terminal in the same Lagos airport in March 2022.
“Reports then said the terminal sits on 56,000 square metres and features 66 check-in counters,” the statement recalled.
“It has capacity to process 14 million passengers annually, yet only handled 6.5 million passengers in 2024.
“The terminal was said to include jet bridges, cooling systems, and a 22-room hotel, among other features.”
Wondering whether it is the same airport that is being penciled for renovation or a different one, the party also wanted to know whether the ₦712 billion project was approved by the National Assembly or provided for in the current budget.
“We demand to know under what constitutional provision this money is being spent.
“The ADC called for the immediate suspension of the project and a full independent audit of the proposed budget,” the statement demanded, suggesting that N712 billion should be channeled to projects that could benefit ordinary Nigerians directly, such as health, education and roads or rural electrification.
