ABUJA – Senate of the Federal Republic, dismissed alleged award of the Second Runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport for N63.5 billion as unrealistic and urged Federal Government to drastically reduce the cost and monitor the contract award process.
The resolution which was taken following a motion to that effect by Sen. Dino Melaye, also noted that there was urgent need for the construction of a Second Runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
They therefore, urged the Federal Government to ensure that due process and diligence is followed in the design, award and procurement processes of the contract.
Earlier in his motion, Sen. Melaye recalled that the contract was once awarded by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at N64 billion Naira after ratification by the Bureau for Public Procurement but was cancelled by the last Administration after allegations of over Inflation of the contracts was established.
He believed that the publication that the contract is already undergoing review and to be awarded at N63.5 billion as published by newspapers across the country was another attempt to steal and rape Nigerians of our common patrimony.
The senator was concerned that if the new terminal 5 in Heathrow Airport with four lanes of 4km runway cost less than N25 billion, constructing a 3.8km on lane runway for N63.5 billion will be a waste of fund, considering Nigeria’s present economic situation.
“As representatives of the people, we must advice that due process and strict adherence to the public procurement Act be observed in the said contract of the Second Abuja Airport Runway.
If this is not brought to the attention of the government now, there may be another fraud in the making, given the comparative analysis of cheaper cost across the country”, Sen. Melaye added.
