FG approves independent power plant for Abuja airport 

The Federal Government yesterday gave approval for the setting up of an Independent Power Plant at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in the Federal Capital Territory to end the challenge of power supply to the airport.

At the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in 2018, it also approved the rehabilitation of the Enugu/Oturkpo road that links to Ninth Mile at the cost of N5.44 billion. 

Briefing State House correspondents shortly after the meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika said that the approval for the Independent Power Plant was aimed at addressing some of the challenges besetting smooth operations at the airport.

“We are putting up an independent power system at the airport which has been approved by FEC. 

“Subsequently, we will also attend to the challenges of water, sewage, apron, connectivity between old and new airport and all the fire stations that is blocking the usage of the airport and perhaps also the control tower that is connecting the other side of the airport. All these will be attended to in phases in preparation to the fully utilization of the airport.”

On the approval for rehabilitation of the Enugu/Oturkpo road‎, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola said the decision was okayed by members following a memo to council.

Fashola said the rehabilitation at the contract sum of N5.44 billion was to facilitate the promotion of the agricultural policy of the current administration, moreso that the two communities involved were heavily engaged agriculture activities. 

“We expect that this should be completed in 24 months. The contract sum is N5.44 billion.”

Meanwhile, the Federal Government yesterday gave indication that it is yet to take decision on calls for the deployment of soldiers to Benue State following the gruesome murder of innocent citizens in the area.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed explained that a decision was yet to be taken by the authorities but noted that the government was making concerted efforts aimed at tackling the constant conflicts between the herdsmen and farmers in the country.

“Government is very much concern about the herdsmen and farmers clashes and it is receiving attention at the highest level. 

“As to who to send, that will be a decision after a thorough deliberations of the matter.” The minister did not provide an explicit response to the proposed cattle colony proposal.  

“First of all what’s the difference between a colony and a cattle ranch. I am not an agricultural experts but a colony is much bigger in nature than a ranch.”