The Umar Musa Yar’adua International Airport, Kastina would receive a massive investment of about N23.7 billion for expansion project that include the establishment of fire truck maintenance overhaul and a cargo centre.
This was announced by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika at the groundbreaking ceremony of the expansion in Katsina, Thursday.
This development will further bolster the air transportation sector and also improve economic activities in Katsina State.
Sirika said the airport expansion project had cost N14 billion, and all the equipment needed had been procured and was in place, awaiting the completion of the building.
He stated that the project was about 60% complete and that the terminal building, which would cost approximately N7 billion, would be finished in six months.
The Minister added that he hopes that the terminal buildings would be delivered in 12 months, highlighting the importance of the project in ensuring the safety and security of airports in Nigeria.
The minister further said that the ongoing fire truck maintenance overhaul rehabilitation and refurbishment of the fire truck centre was almost complete.
He said, “The fire truck maintenance overhaul rehabilitation and refurbishment of the fire truck here is about N14bn and all of the equipment procured are in place we are just waiting for the building to be finished and we would mount them.
“So you could see that it has gone more than 60 per cent completion. What is remaining is the terminal building which would be achieved within six months. Then the terminal building put together is about N7bn and also we hope that these terminal buildings be delivered in 12 months.
“The cargo centre is about N1.4 billion at the time we gave it but there is a slight request for an adjustment because when we gave it I think N360 per dollar but that is minor.
“The completion period is six months and of course, the pavement is six months which is about N1.3bn and then the fence,” he added.
He, however, disclosed that the projects were geared towards huge agricultural products and foreign exchange earnings.
This new tranche of money is coming exactly two years after Sirika announced that the FG would spend the sum of N30 billion naira to upgrade the airport.
The minister had said that his ministry will begin work on the establishment of a fire fighting vehicle assembly and repair plant in Katsina a month after the announcement.
Sirika had said that the plant which will cater for the whole country would be a source of employment for 2500 youth
