Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has proposed a N40 billion intervention fund to the President in order to improve airport operations.
Although the fund is still being processed, it is expected to be released by the presidency soon. Keyamo shared this information during an interview on the Politics Today show with Seun Okinbaloye on Channels Television.
In the interview, the minister discussed the Federal Government’s plans to enhance airport infrastructure and efficiency.
Keyamo stated that as soon as he started his role, he immediately spoke to the President about the necessary actions needed to improve airports across the country, especially international airports, in order to enhance their efficiency and customer satisfaction.
He mentioned that President Bola Tinubu agreed with the idea of acquiring advanced gadgets and equipment for the airports. However, Keyamo pointed out that the Federal Government has not yet provided the funds for this.
Keyamo has announced that part of the N40 billion budget will be used to implement the Safe Tower project. This project aims to improve the air traffic control towers at five international airports and twelve other strategically selected airports across the six geopolitical zones.
The minister mentioned that the necessary gadgets and equipment to enhance the efficiency of air traffic control towers under the Safe Tower project are already available in Norway. However, the funds need to be disbursed before payments can be made.
Another aspect of the project involves procuring DVOR (Doppler VHF Omni Direction Range) equipment for airports throughout the country. This equipment will enable pilots to land aircraft smoothly, even in unfavorable weather conditions.
The minister also revealed that a portion of the N40 billion will be used to purchase modern ILS (Instrument Landing System) for the five international airports and some other airports. The ILS serves as a precise landing aid, providing accurate guidance for aircraft in various weather conditions. It is a reliable method for pilots to navigate to the runway, offering precise lateral and vertical guidance.
Keyamo has revealed that the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development will allocate a portion of the planned N40 billion to improve the radar coverage of Nigeria’s airspace for safety and security purposes.
Additionally, the minister stated that the procurement of landing and navigation equipment for airports is included in the proposed N40 billion.
Keyamo mentioned that the Ministry will also acquire Distance Measuring Equipment (DME) for airports across the country.
