by Azeez Adeniyi

The National Assembly has included the construction of a second runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the 2017 Appropriation Bill, Punch reports.
The newspaper reports that the lawmakers have agreed to the construction of another runway for the airport.

The Abuja airport was closed for runway repairs and opened after six weeks.
Air travelers were diverted to the Kaduna International Airport during the period.
A source said the lawmakers are voting for

A source, close to the leadership of the Senate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that both the Senate and the House of Representatives agreed on the construction of a new runway for the Abuja airport and would vote between N15bn and N20bn for the project.

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The source added, “The National Assembly has agreed that the construction of a second runway for Abuja airport must be in the budget and they are voting between N15bn and N20bn for it.

“This is based on our initiative going by what we witnessed during the last repairs (on the only runway), which forced the shutdown of the airport (Abuja).

“We don’t want such experience to repeat itself – the economic loss, embarrassment and the inconvenience.

“The leadership of the Senate and House of Representatives chairmen of the committees on appropriations and chairmen of the committees on aviation of both chambers met and agreed on the decision.”