FG To deliver 10 New Airports, National Carrier by 2023— Sirika

The Federal Government has announced plans to construct 10 new airports,a National carrier, as well as Nigeria Air, as part of Aviation sector projects targeted to be delivered before 2023.

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed this during the 2021 budget defence on the floor of the Senate Committee on Aviation in Abuja.

The Minister who noted that civil aviation sector had witnessed significant growth, said that more airports are coming up in states such as Benue, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Lafia, Damaturu, Anambra among others.

Sirika commending the executive arm of government and the National Assembly, said that more work has been done in the civil aviation sector under the President Buhari’s administration.

“So, we have about 10 new airports coming up; that is almost half the number of airports we used to have in Nigeria. We are adding 50 per cent of the number of airports,” he said.

Meanwhile, Sirika told newsmen after the budget defence that the national carrier, Nigeria Air, was part of the Aviation sector roadmap, which would be delivered before 2023.

Sirika speaking further said that efforts are ongoing by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission to review the National carrier as well as the Nigeria Air, as part of the Aviation sector roadmap.

“Soon after it completion, it will go to the Federal Executive Council for approval. We will not leave this government without having it in place,” Sirika said.

The Minister stressed on the need to site an airport in Lokoja, Kogi state as alternate to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, stating that Lokoja is an important Northern town known for Agricultural activities.

“Lokoja is a cosmopolitan town, it’s a mini Nigeria and it is extremely very important in the growth and development of our country,” he added.

Sirika noted that efforts are ongoing to address the poor standard of equipment at some airports across the country, adding that the government does not have the resources to take them all at once.

He said, “Certainly we are making Ilorin one of the best airports because in the first place it is an alternate for Lagos.”

The Chairman of the Committee, Smart Adeyemi, in his remark said that observations were made by the committee on how to assist the aviation industry.

“This is more important as the world grappled with the global recession, aviation becomes a very important sector that requires the attention of any progressive government.

“I am happy to see that there is an improvement in what is being proposed for 2021 compared with the outgoing year.

“Aviation is important because when the economy is down for a developing nation as ours, it makes sense to focus on aviation in order to be able to accelerate socio-economic activities.

“Aviation must be given serious attention and I am happy this government has responded to that,” Adeyemi said