The Federal Government has approved the construction of the Lekki International Airport at the Lekki-Epe axis of Lagos State.
Minister for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, presented the document to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday at the Lagos Economic Summit (Ehingbeti) 2022 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island.
He said the Murtala Mohammed Airport is congested, and that the creation of the new airport in Lekki is apt to the innovations in that part of Lagos.
According to the Minister, the federal mandate to the state government on the airport project enjoyed accelerated approval, because of the growing need to further link Lagos and Southwest to international markets and regional trade.
The project, the Aviation minister said, would transform the GDP of Lagos and create jobs for the national economy. He said the airport would complement the existing Murtala Muhammed International Airport whose operation is overstretched.
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“There has been an expansion in Lagos, from Eko Atlantic City to Lekki Free Trade Zones. This growth necessitated the need for another airport in Lagos. We will deploy our statutory agencies to ensure the project is done in compliance with international standards,” Sirika said.
On his part, Governor Sanwo-Olu said that he is excited about the project, stressing that Lagos will be better accessible for the businesses within it.
“Granting the licence for the airport project is a right step in the right direction,” Sanwo-Olu said. “For us, it is all about partnerships with the Federal Government and the ministry of aviation, but the real beneficiaries are the citizens, the businesses we are trying to activate more.”
The governor noted that the real beneficiaries of the airport will be the citizens and the businesses as it offers them a platform to thrive.
He described the approval as another successful step forward towards delivering his administration’s agenda of Greater Lagos and keeping the state on the path of irreversible economic prosperity.
“The foundation of growth is building requisite infrastructure and creating platforms for businesses to thrive. This aviation infrastructure will reduce journey time and make commercial hubs in Lagos easily accessible.
“It would help investors to make the best local and international business decisions, given all the investments that have been brought to the Lekki Free Trade Zone,” he added.
Source: Channels News