INTRODUCTION: The Big Airline Inside the Numbers
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) recently approved a
monumental ₦712.26 billion renovation of Terminal One at Lagos’s Murtala
Muhammed International Airport—part of a wider ₦900 billion aviation
infrastructure revolution.
Yet in whispers and social posts, the cost is often misreported as ₦72B—raising
questions:
Is this misreporting accidental—or purposely misleading?
Will this massive investment uplift Nigeria’s air travel to global standards—or
line contractor pockets?
SECTION 1: What the FEC Approved
On July 31, 2025, President Bola Tinubu’s administration
green-lit reforms aimed at transforming Nigeria into an aviation hub.
Terminal One will be stripped down to its steel skeleton and rebuilt—including
new mechanical, electrical, plumbing and fire systems.
The terminal is expected to scale capacity from 3 million to 20 million
passengers per year, aligning with Terminal Two’s 14 million capacity.
Terminal Two will also be expanded with new aprons, roads, bridges, and
infrastructure.
Key safety upgrades include a ₦49.9B security fence stretching 14.6 km, with
intrusion detection, CCTV, solar floodlights, and command centre.
Additional works: runway lighting to CAT-2 standard, apron upgrades, and access
road enhancements across MMIA.
SECTION 2: Why the ₦72B Misnomer Is Dangerous
Misreporting ₦712B as ₦72B both downplays the scale and
distorts public accountability. ₦712B is:
·
One of the largest
single-location public investments in Nigeria in 2025.
·
Similar in cost to two
budget allocations for health infrastructure nationwide combined.
·
A figure that should prompt
scrutiny—not confusion.
SECTION 3: Impact on Aviation’s Global Credibility
If executed transparently, the MMIA overhaul could boost
Nigeria’s international standing:
·
Handle up to 20 million
passengers annually, aligning with airports in Doha or Doha-size traffic.
·
The security upgrades alone
make MMIA a more secure and modern regional hub.
Critics and aviation experts warn, however, that past
projects have stumbled due to non-competitive procurement and poor project
oversight.
SECTION 4: Investigative Red Flags
Contractor Credibility: CCECC, the Chinese firm awarded the
contract, also built Terminal Two—raising concerns about contract exclusivity.
Funding Source: Entirely financed through the Renewed Hope
Infrastructure Development Fund, bypassing normal public funding processes.
Oversight: No publicly disclosed feasibility study,
procurement details, or maintenance plan.
SECTION 5: What Must Change Before Work Begins
·
Publish full contract
documents, bids, and cost breakdowns.
·
Make procurement steps
public and allow civil-society monitoring.
·
Establish a transparent
project oversight committee, including finance experts, ADA, aviation unions,
and media.
·
Provide a post-project
maintenance and sustainability plan to ensure longevity.
CONCLUSION: A Welcome Upgrade—Only If We Demand Accountability
Nigeria desperately needs modern aviation infrastructure.
But let's be clear: approving ₦712 billion is not progress unless it’s
accompanied by transparency, oversight, and measurable impact.
If MMIA becomes a shining symbol of change, the investment is justified. But if
it becomes another opaque contract carousel, the public has a right to know—and
to demand answers.
Also READ:HUNGER & FLOODS RAVAGE NIGERIA: A NATION ON THE BRINK WHILE LEADERS FEAST
Post a Comment