The Federal Government says it has approved plans for a first-class light rail connection from Ikeja Bus Stop to terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport as part of a wider aviation infrastructure programme.
The Federal Government has announced plans to construct a light rail line linking Ikeja Bus Stop to terminals at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Monday at the 67th anniversary of Aero Contractors Airlines in Lagos.
Keyamo said the proposed rail line would run from Ikeja Bus Stop to the General Aviation Terminal, MMA2 and the Air Force Base before connecting to the new international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. He described the proposed service as a first-class, air-conditioned train that would provide direct access to the airport terminals.
According to the minister, the project is part of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Initiative for the aviation sector, with almost N1 trillion earmarked for airport infrastructure upgrades through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Fund.
Keyamo said the government had already committed N712 billion to upgrading ageing airport infrastructure across the country. He cited the ongoing construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja, which he said would cost about N400 billion, as well as the construction and resurfacing of the Akure Airport among the government’s ongoing interventions.
The minister said the administration had also introduced policies aimed at supporting local airlines, including measures to make aircraft acquisition easier. He added that more state governments were establishing airlines and expanding into regional routes across West and Central Africa.
Keyamo attributed the increased investment in aviation infrastructure to changes in government revenue following the removal of fuel subsidies. He said the government had been able to raise funds for major infrastructure projects rather than relying on borrowing as it had done in the past.
The minister also cited the planned second runway at the Abuja airport as an example of the cost of delaying infrastructure projects. According to him, the project that was previously estimated at about N45 billion is now expected to cost nearly N500 billion.
Keyamo said the government had also secured funding to rebuild infrastructure in Lagos, adding that improved liquidity and foreign reserves had contributed to increased investment. Speaking on the aviation industry, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Aero Contractors, Captain Ado Sanusi, urged the Federal Government to ensure that its interventions addressed the specific challenges facing airlines.
He also called for greater recognition and support for the airline industry. Keyamo, meanwhile, commended Aero Contractors for its resilience and continued contribution to the Nigerian aviation sector.