The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku has justified the estimate of N580 billion proposed for fixing the runways of airports across the country, saying no fewer than 17 runways need reconstruction.
Kuku, who spoke on Beyond 100 Days, a Television Continental, TVC, programme, last night, explained that the perimeter roads and fencing of some of the airports under its management would also be repaired.
She also told detractors that she would continue to do the right things until her objectives were achieved, adding that she would resign if her method failed.
The FAAN MD was responding to criticisms that have greeted her claim that N580bn is required to fix obsolete runways across the country.
Her words: “We have a number of runways in Nigeria today. So, we had mentioned to you that there are 22 airports that are owned by the federal government. We also support some airports that are owned by the state.
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“I did make specific reference to airports who had runways that had exceeded their lifespan. The average lifespan of a runway is about 20 to 25 years.
“A lot of our runways in Nigeria have truly exceeded that time, meaning that we have had them for 30 plus, 35 years.
“And what it means is that we need to actually reconstruct those runways. The reconstruction of those runways, the 580 billion that I initially mentioned, is actually for over 17 runways.
“And it is not just the runways. It includes some perimeter roads. It includes fencing.
“I have seen some commentary where people are saying, what do they need all of this money for? I encourage you, please just look at Google if you are in the construction business or in the aviation business to try and understand what it means to build runways, taxiway links and apron expansion work that we need to do. And, of course, to make sure that we put a safe environment together for everything that happens on the airside.
“I am still stepping on toes. I do know that I need to do that with caution, but definitely not at the jeopardy of the Nigerian airport system. If I have to, I will step down and I will resign if I realise that it is not working.
“But what is important for me is to make sure that I do what is right. I do the needful, largely in terms of making sure that there are critical infrastructure projects in front of me, making sure that Nigerians are safe.”
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