Festus Keyamo, minister of aviation and aerospace development, says the federal government is considering sourcing for funds to refurbish the Lagos airport.
Keyamo announced the plan on Monday while clarifying a
report which he said misrepresented his remarks at a stakeholders’ forum held
in Lagos on February 28.
According to a report, the minister reportedly said that
President Bola Tinubu is not focused on concessioning the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport but is sourcing the funds to redevelop the airport.
However, in a post on X, he refuted the interpretation,
noting that while the government is sourcing funds for the airport’s
rehabilitation, the concessioning process remains a possibility.
“This headline is not a reflection of my speech at the
Stakeholders’ forum held in Lagos last Friday,” the minister said.
“What I said is that the federal government is considering
sourcing for funds to totally refurbish the Lagos International Airport.
“The model of funding is yet to be finalised, but even if
the Federal Government invests its own funds in rehabilitation, it does not
stop the concessioning of the airport for the purpose of proper running and
management.”
On May 27, 2024, Keyamo said the federal government was
reviewing the airports’ concession process to ensure transparency.
He said his ministry is developing a master plan for major
airports in the country.
The minister said the president has approved the review of
the concession process of the major airports to make sure they operate at
international standards.