Experts and stakeholders enthuse upsides outweigh downsides
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Lagos, the richest state Nigeria and the fifth largest economy in Africa, will become even richer with its own airport in Lekki added to the two federal ones in Ikeja, according to experts and frequent fliers.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s New Media Assistant Jubril Gawat, at the behest of his boss, tweeted at the weekend continuation of the Lekki Airport project which idea began under the administration of former Governor Babatunde Fashola.
Gawat also quoted in the tweets Sanwo-Olu’s Adviser on Ppublic Private Partnerships (PPPs) Ope George.
“Sanwo-Olu-led government has sought and obtained approval from the federal government for the construction of the new airport in Lagos,” he said.
“The project is expected to take off in the year 2023, it will be constructed on 3,500 hectares of land, master plan and aeronautical designs are in place; while studies are ongoing about strategies, funding and other issues, after which the project will be taken to the marketplace.
“The special adviser [George] also stated that the airport, which is expected to cater to a minimum of five million people yearly, will be constructed in partnership with local and foreign investors.”
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Airport long, long overdue
“It is overdue. Long, long overdue,” Kwami Adadevoh told DAILY POST in his reaction to the latest news of the Lekki Airport project.
“Lagos doesn’t get enough air traffic for a city of its economic importance and that’s because the present airport is too small.”
Imoh Umoren, a film maker and frequent flier, said: “I think the new airport will be a good idea. To handle the growing travel population and with the industrialisation of the Epe area, it will be easier for people to fly in the equipment and personnel close to the industries.”
Possible downsides
Is it possible there are downsides to a new airport in the ever busy area of Lagos?
“I don’t see the downsides yet but there could possibly be decreased revenue for the other airports,” Umoren added.
But Adadevoh said it “could cause vehicular traffic if the second access road into the Lekki peninsula is not finished on time.”
Some have argued Sanwo-Olu should be completing other projects or clearing up other issues instead of building a new airport.
“Decongesting Apapa. There has to be a permanent solution to that. But then the airport is viable economically,” Umoren stressed.