Out of the N10 billion approved by President Muhammadu Buhari for the rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, N1.5 billion surplus has been taken by the supervising Ministry of Aviation.
Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Rabiu Yadudu, disclosed this Thursday while responding to questions at a meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation with the contractor handling the project.
Yadudu stated that though the total sum of N10 billion was approved by President Buhai, the actual amount required for the contract was N8.5 billion, leaving a surplus of N1.5 billion in the coffers of the supervising Ministry of Aviation.
The Committee urged the contractor to ensure timely completion of the contract before Easter celebration coming up early April.
The Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Nnolil Nnaji and other stakeholders who spoke during the meeting, expressed concerns over the competence of the contractors who handled the rehabilitation of the airport in 2010 but collapsed in 2016.
Nnolil disclosed that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport was awarded to PW above other local contractors because of its track record.
The lawmakers who resolved to embark on an oversight visit within three weeks to ascertain the level of work done so far, urged the contractor to synergize with the Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to sort out issues bothering on the host communities.
David Emerson, who spoke on behalf of the contractor, assured that the company would accelerate the rehabilitation of the airport, adding that plans are underway to add concrete pavements at the end of the runway.
Emerson however, solicited for the intervention of the Committee towards resolving the crisis arising from the hostility of the host communities where the quarry is located.
“We have visited a lot of quarries producing stones that meet specifications. We are worried about getting the stones within the compressed time as communities are blocking our trucks,” he lamented.
Also speaking, the consultant engaged by the Ministry, Mohammed Baba, expressed optimism that Boeing 747 (400 series) fully loaded should be able to land and take off from Enugu Airport on completion of the project.
In a document presented to the Committee, the correction of the slope from 0.7% to 1.3% or 1.5% on full strength especially where water ponding was observed; 2.5% slope is to be maintained on the shoulder.
The overlay is also capable of extending the life of the pavement by above 10 years and the proposed cross-section for both 1.3% and 1.5% transverse slope satisfy international standards and are also effective for quick removal of runoff.
