The number of airports in Nigeria will be doubled by the Federal Government before the end of 2023 to enhance air connectivity and boost the nation’s economy.
Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, said this during the Public Presentation of 2021 Budget Proposal on Tuesday in Abuja.
The Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning organised the public presentation to receive detailed budget proposals.
The minister of Aviation said, “We understood the principles and the importance of air connectivity and it is a very important sector. It boosts our economy and we believe investment in this sector will do well for our economy.
“Before the end of 2023, we would have doubled the number of airports in Nigeria. We understand the importance of aviation infrastructure as a critical component for the working of our economy and our national security assets.”
Sirika said the aviation industry was the fastest growing sector in the country and the current administration had developed a roadmap to improve civil aviation and air transportation in general.
Capital Expenditure for the Ministry of Aviation is put at N89.97 billion in the proposed 2021 budget.
The ministry proposed N5 billion for safety and security critical projects and airport certification nationwide and N14 billion for construction of second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
N1.6 billion was also proposed for extension and asphalt overlay of Murtala Muhammed International Airport runway, Lagos; N1 billion construction of new terminal building in Enugu; and N1 billion construction of Abeokuta airstrip.
