by Laila Ibrahim

In order to speed up the proposed construction of the Abuja second runway, for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered that it be accorded an immediate top priority status.

This was disclosed by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation, Captain Shehu Usman Iyal while briefing journalists at a press conference in Abuja, on Monday.

He said the current administration has recorded many giant strides have been recorded in the aviation sector in the past six years.

“The President has approved and directed the second runway project be immediately revisited. And it is being revisited and I am proud to inform you that I am part of the members of that committee for the second runway and it is going to be treated as priority. There will be a second runway in Abuja for safety, for security, for efficiency.” He said.

Listing out the achievement of the aviation sector under the Jonathan led administration, he said Nigeria has retained its high international status which it recorded for the first time in 2010, adding that for the first time a Nigerian was elected the first African to head the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

He also said Nigeria now has a total radar coverage that can track and record any aeroplane within Nigeria’s airspace.

The administration, he said, has also granted waiver for customs duties to airlines operating in the country, adding that these have increased the number of airlines flying into the country, while domestic operations have also increased in the country.

“What I am talking here are facts and you can see them on ground” he said adding that the latest in the line to join the Nigerian route is the Cathay Pacific Airways.

The Cathay Pacific Airways is the de facto international flag carrier airline of Hong Kong.

The airline’s operations include scheduled passenger and cargo services to 168 destinations in 42 countries worldwide.

YEditor