Abuja airport runway for another 18-week upgrade

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

As reconstruction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) enters its third week, the Federal Government has said another round of upgrade, which will span 18 weeks, is in the works.
The NAIA is expected to open for operations on April 19, 2017.
A top Presidency source told newsmen, in Abuja, yesterday, that the upgrade after April 19 would be done at night only.
Quoting from a report of the Federal Government Coordinating Committee overseeing management of NAIA repair, closure and relocation, the Presidency official said unlike the six week reconstruction of the runway, the 18-week upgrade would not necessitate closure of the airport and will not disrupt flight operations.
“After the Abuja Airport reopens for operations on April 19, upgrade works on the runway will continue for another 18 weeks.
“This second phase of upgrade works on the runway will be carried out at night, with no disruption to flight schedules,” he noted.
He added that a media tour to allow journalists observe and assess the progress on the airport’s runway repair will hold this week as the repair enters its mid-point on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Presidency also disclosed that the Kaduna International Airport has recorded 43,000 passengers in its first 11 days of operation, as the alternative to NAIA and added that about 10,000 passengers took advantage of its free bus shuttle between Abuja and Kaduna airports.
The NAIA, originally constructed in 1982 has not had its runway repaired despite the fact that it was built to last no more than 25 years.
The reconstruction is being handled  by Julius Berger Nigeria Limited.
According to the source, this number of passengers recorded in the first 11 days was more compared to 41,000 passengers it recorded in the entire first quarter of 2015, and the 21,000 it recorded in the first quarter of 2016.
The report also stated that  a total of 173 Police patrol vehicles, and 2,400 police personnel – drawn from the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, and others were deployed along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and the Abuja-Kaduna rail line.
Equally deployed were 30 police motorcycles along the rail tracks, 2 Patrol Helicopters along the rail and road routes, and 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) at strategic points on the routes, including the Airports and Train Stations.
Kaduna airport/sd
Abuja airport runway for another 18-week upgrade

From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja‎
As reconstruction of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) enters its third week, the Federal Government has said another round of upgrade, which will span 18 weeks, is in the works.The NAIA is expected to open for operations on April 19, 2017.
A top Presidency source told newsmen, in Abuja, yesterday that the upgrade after April 19 will be done at night only.
Quoting from a report of the Federal Government Coordinating Committee overseeing management of NAIA repair, closure and relocation, the Presidency official said unlike the six week reconstruction of the runway, the 18-week upgrade would not necessitate closure of the airport and will not disrupt flight operations.
“After the Abuja Airport reopens for operations on April 19, upgrade works on the runway will continue for another 18 weeks.
“This second phase of upgrade works on the runway will be carried out at night, with no disruption to flight schedules,” he said.
He added that a media tour to allow journalists observe and assess the progress on the airport’s runway repair will hold this week as the repair enters its mid-point on Wednesday.
“This second phase of upgrade works on the runway will be carried out at night, with no disruption to flight schedules, the Presidency official further disclosed.”l‎
The source added that a media tour to allow reporters observe and assess the progress on the Abuja Airport runway repair will hold this week, as the repair is about its mid-point on Weenesday.
The FG’s Coordinating Committee has launched a series of Customer Engagement initiatives to enable passengers and travellers affected by the closure get up-to-date information and updates. These include a Call Center (open 7am to 10pm Mondays to Fridays and 10am to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays), a website (AbujaAirportClosure.info).
Meanwhile, the Presidency also disclosed that the Kaduna International Airport has recorded 43,000 passengers in its first 11 days of operation, as the alternative to NAIA.
It also said ‎about 10,000 passengers took advantage of its free bus shuttle between the Abuja and Kaduna airports.‎
The NAIA, originally constructed in 1982 has not had the runway repaired despite the fact that it was built to last no more than 25 years.
The reconstruction now in the third week is being handled  by Julius Berger Nigeria Limited. The repairs is for six weeks.‎
According to the source, this number of passengers recorded in the first 11 days was more compared to 41,000 passengers it recorded in the entire first quarter of 2015, and the 21,000 it recorded in the first quarter of 2016.
The report also stated that  a total of 173 Police Patrol Vehicles, and 2,400 police personnel – drawn from the Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, and others were deployed along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and the Abuja-Kaduna Rail Line.
Equally deployed are 30 Police Motorcycles along the rail tracks, 2 Patrol Helicopters along the rail and road routes, and 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) at strategic points on the routes, including the Airports and Train Stations.
According to the source, the April 19th date for reopening remains sacrosanct.
According to the source, ‎after the Abuja Airport reopens for operations on April 19, upgrade works on the runway will continue for another 18 weeks. “This second phase of upgrade works on the runway will be carried out at night, with no disruption to flight schedules, the Presidency official further disclosed.”l‎
The source added that a media tour to allow reporters observe and assess the progress on the Abuja Airport runway repair will hold this week, as the repair is about its mid-point on Weenesday.
The FG’s Coordinating Committee has launched a series of Customer Engagement initiatives to enable passengers and travellers affected by the closure get up-to-date information and updates. These include a Call Center (open 7am to 10pm Mondays to Fridays and 10am to 4pm Saturdays and Sundays), a website (AbujaAirportClosure.info).