Aviation
Lekki International Airport project on course – Fashola
LAGOS – Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State said on Tuesday night that the state government had not jettisoned its plan to build an international airport in Lekki area of the state.
Mr. Fashola told State House correspondents in Lagos that the delay in actual take-off of the project did not mean it had been abandoned.
He said the state government had already done all the preparatory work on the project and was engaging the right investors to translate it to fruition.
According to him, what the government plans to build is an international airport that will live to its true name and comply with the best aviation standards.
“There are airports and there are airports. What we think Lagos deserves is a truly international airport that can compete globally. And those are not the kinds of airports that government would build and run.
“We have acquired the land for the project, government is fencing the land. We are doing the financial and the technical study of the project.
“We already know what it will look like because we have already done the concept design. We have in fact done all the preparatory work.
“But there are people whose business it is to build airports. They do it for a living and those are the people we are talking to.
“We have done the international bids; seven of these investors have been shortlisted. These are people who have handled similar projects successfully in other parts of the world.
“We are seeking the partnership of these people to install equipment; scanners, data capture machines and others, and run the airport and keep it functional because it is their core business.
“That is the kind of plan we have for the airports because the state is a centre of excellence and it deserves nothing short of the best,” he said.
Mr. Fashola said he would not promise a completion date of the project, but assured that government would complete the airport at the best time possible.
The governor said the project as well as the proposed Lekki Deep Sea Port would create opportunities as it would stimulate businesses.
According to him, the airport is one of the many projects the government is executing simultaneously to better the lives of residents and make the state a megacity.
He listed some of the other projects as the Apapa regeneration project, expansion of Lagos-Badagry Expressway, Ikorodu Road and the light rail project.
The governor said he was satisfied with the progress of work on Lagos-Badagry Expressway and would continue to interact closely with the contractors, to ensure accelerated delivery of the project.
“We are also happy with the progress of work on our light rail project. We have completed essentially Mile 2 to Costain.
“The last terminus at the National Theatre is nearing completion as most of the inner fittings at the terminus have been done.
“We are heading from there to Marina and things will soon take shape there as soon as the contractors are back from their holidays,” he said.
Mr. Fashola said the government’s cable cars project was also being pursued to complement other transportation solutions that had been put in place.
The governor said he would leave a legacy of impact and enduring projects at the expiration of his tenure in May 2015.
On whether he had any fears about what governance would become in the state after his exit, Fashola said he had no fears as government in Lagos was about institutions and not persons.
He, however, said he hoped to have a successor that would perform better than him and reduce his achievements to child’s play.
“I hope the next governor would do in two years what we have been able to do in four years, and with that happening, it is going to be to the benefit of all,” he said.
– NAN
An Abuja-Accra flight experienced technical difficulties mid-air on Friday, forcing it to return to Abuja, shortly after departure.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Board (NSIB) made the disclosure in a statement, adding that it has launched investigation into what it described as a serious accident.
Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji stated that preliminary investigations revealed the aircraft experienced an engine number two indication issue.
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It was gathered that the aircraft, with registration number 5NKAL which was operating a flight from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja (DNAA), to Kotoka International Airport, Accra (DGAA).
She explained that four persons were onboard when the incident occurred. The crew immediately requested for a diversion back to Abuja due to the engine indication.
Oladeji added that the crew managed to safely land the aircraft at Abuja Airport at 18:16 UTC.
There were no injuries reported, and all individuals on board are safe.
Nigeria has acquired 12 pre-owned Alpha Jets from the French Air Force as part of efforts to enhance the operational capacity of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF).
The deal, facilitated through SOFEMA, a French military and aeronautics company, was announced by Olusegun Dada, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on via X on Thursday.
He said, “All the 12 aircraft are ready for shipping.”
The Alpha Jet, a product of Franco-German collaboration, is a versatile military aircraft designed for light attack and advanced training missions.
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Equipped to carry bombs, rockets, and missiles, the aircraft also features a gun pod for close air support.
The NAF already operates 11 Alpha Jets, but this latest procurement signals a significant boost to its fleet.
Dada also confirmed that the Air Force is expecting 24 M-346FA light attack aircraft, ordered during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The first batch of these Italian-made aircraft is expected to arrive early next year.
Air Chief Marshal Hasan Abubakar, the Chief of Air Staff, described the acquisitions as a testament to President Tinubu’s commitment to bolstering the armed forces.
“This renewal of our aircraft fleet reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Nigerians,” Abubakar said.
The announcement comes on the heels of President Tinubu’s three-day state visit to France, where he met with French President Emmanuel Macron.
The visit, which took place from November 27 to November 30, highlighted deepening ties between the two nations.
To ensure the sustainability of its expanding fleet, the Air Force has proposed establishing a local maintenance hub.
Speaking in October, Abubakar noted that six units of the M-346FA aircraft were already in production, with the initial batch of three expected to be delivered in early 2025. The full fleet is projected to arrive by 2026.
“These developments underscore the importance of creating a domestic support system for the long-term upkeep of our aircraft,” Abubakar added.
As the holiday season draws near, Aero Contractors has introduced a minimum ticket price of N80,000 for all local flights.
The move, which will last until January 2024, aims to ease the financial burden on Nigerians amid the high cost of living.
Ado Sanusi, Managing Director of Aero Contractors, made the announcement on Tuesday during a press briefing, describing the fare reduction as a gesture to help Nigerians celebrate Christmas and the New Year without the stress of steep ticket prices.
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Sanusi said, “We understand the economic hardship Nigerians are facing, especially with high ticket prices, and we know the holiday season is nearby.
“In the spirit of Christmas, Aero Contractors has introduced what we call pocket-friendly Christmas prices. These fares, starting at N80,000, will apply to all our destinations, allowing Nigerians to travel without excessive costs.”
As of Tuesday afternoon, an economy class ticket from Lagos to Abuja was priced at N99,643, while business class tickets were being sold for N189,167.
Sanusi further explained that the initiative was designed to make it easier for families to reunite during the holidays.
“This is a way for us, as an organization with a long history of serving Nigerians, to give back to our loyal customers. We want to make it possible for families to meet their loved ones during this festive season without worrying about exorbitant travel costs,” he added.
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