NigerianFLIGHTDECK Travel and Business Reportage 
THE 2.7 kilometres (2,700m) long 18 Left 36 Right( 18L/36R) Murtala Muhammed domestic runway is said to have achieved 90% completion with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN) stressing that it intends to meet its 90 days deadline but would rather delay and do a thorough job instead.
Managing director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu who inspected works on the Runway today made this disclosure and explained that apart from the MMA, FAAN is working and upgrading virtually all airports under its purview.
Recall that FAAN on July 7 closed the Murtala Muhammed Airport Runway 18L for the installation of installation of approach lights, Runway Lights (Threshold and Centre, edge light and others will be installed so that runway 18L/36R returns to full 24/7 operations.
This was after the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, in March 2022 succeeded in getting another N3,523,592,079bn approval for safety-critical projects of the Ministry of Aviation as the Federal Executive Council, FEC, approved the sum of N3,523,592,079bn for two different major projects on facilitation and airfield lighting.
It was reported that of the total amount approved, the sum, N2,329,961,099.60 was for the supply and installation of airfield ground lighting for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and also the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Speaking to the media after the tour, Captain Yadudu said,”So far, I think we have done as about 90%… we are on schedule and remember we are very optimistic but if anything would make it be delayed, I would boldly make it delayed. I’d rather have a good job concluded, safely. Aviation is not about quick fixes it’s about long term fixes.
“For 12 years, this is not working but now you’re getting it in a few hours, what is the problem. The bottom line is we are ok target up to this moment but anything that will hinder and we are sure has to do with the safety, we will not hesitate that is our primary responsibility but so far there is none.
“And we are committed, this is my 10th visit and there are people here daily, monitoring, supervising.
Also speaking on Taxiway Bravo, Captain Yadudu said the project has been stalled due to inflation affecting procurement cost especially of bitumen and asphalt.
He said,”Taxiway Bravo has been about 95% for the past five months, it’s issues to do with procurement because suddenly we have inflation and the contractor is complaining but he is working with FAAN and the Ministry to see we can find a solution to the problem.
” This inflation issue suddenly increased the cost of bitumen and asphalt and we are trying to resolve it quietly, so he also ends up doing a good job, we do not want him to do a bad job because he has concerns and we are addressing those concerns.
“It would have been commissioned four five months ago but we need to do a good job that everyone would be proud of.” He said.
