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Airport Construction Scams-Different Strokes for Different States

February 10, 2009
Dear Editor,
DIFFERENT STROKES OF STATES’ AIRPORT PROJECTS
I read details in the News Star newspaper recently that the Asaba Airport project being undertaken by the Delta State government would cost only N7billion. Its Runway would take wide-bodied Boeing 747. By the time this airport is completed, next year, it would be convenient for Onitsha traders’ use.


I have also read that Governor Obi of Anambra State is syndicating N25billion loan to construct a new Cargo Airport near Onitsha. He had abandoned the old site at Oba where much money had been sunk. It is most likely he would not even kick-start the project at this twilight of his administration that is due to end March, 2010. The next governor would either continue with the old site or loose patronage to the Asaba Airport.

 Governor Akpabio of Akwa Ibom did well to continue the State’s own Airport project that was started by his predecessor. This is a different type of the Airport with MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) Hangar. The predecessor government had allegedly spent N22billion to get to the stage it did before its expiration in 2007. The amount, according to investigations, catered for partial construction of the Runway; It also ordered the entire Hangar component of the project, which the present administration had admittedly taking delivery of.. One then wonders what the additional US$172million (about N25billion) contract to a new Contractor engaged by Akpabio’s government, is for.

Comparing the airport projects namely Delta (N7billion); Anambra (N25billion); and Akwa Ibom (N47billion), everyone would notice the great disparities. Is this how the tax payers’ money is being siphoned? What an irony.

Biodun Bashiru Lati, 189 Solomon Lar Way, Utako District, Abuja

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