By EMMANUEL OLONIRUHA

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says Nigeria?s aviation sector needs proper maintenance, efficiency, and regional airport expansion and not the planned renovation.

The party said this in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

It described the plan to spend over N712 billion renovating Lagos? Murtala Muhammed International Airport as a misplaced priority.

Abdullahi said the decision was outrageous, especially considering the country?s current economic realities.

He questioned the rationale behind spending N712 billion to renovate an airport that already received substantial upgrades and remains fully functional.

According to him, the proposed sum ? around $500 million ? is the same amount used to construct four new airports in 2014.

?These included airports in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt, all built with a Chinese loan still awaiting repayment,? he said.

He recalled that the same Lagos airport had a new terminal commissioned by President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2022.

Abdullahi said: ?Reports then said the terminal sits on 56,000 square metres and features 66 check-in counters.

?It has capacity to process 14 million passengers annually, yet only handled 6.5 million passengers in 2024.

?The terminal was said to include jet bridges, cooling systems, and a 22-room hotel, among other features.?

Abdullahi asked whether it is the same airport now up for renovation or an entirely different one.

He also questioned whether the N712 billion project received National Assembly approval or appeared in the current budget.

?We demand to know under what constitutional provision this money is being spent,? he said.

?The ADC called for the immediate suspension of the project and a full independent audit of the proposed budget,? he said

Abdullahi said funds should be redirected to initiatives that would directly impact on ordinary Nigerians? lives.

He noted that N712 billion could fund seven teaching hospitals, free education in three zones, rural electrification, or road rehabilitation. (NAN)

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