The African Democratic Congress states that Nigeria’s aviation sector requires proper maintenance, efficiency, and regional airport expansion, rather than the planned renovation.

The party said this in a statement on Sunday. It described the plan to spend over ₦712 billion to renovate Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos as a misplaced priority.

ADC said the decision was outrageous, especially considering the country’s current economic realities. It questioned the rationale behind spending ₦712 billion to renovate an airport that already received substantial upgrades and remains fully functional.

According to the opposition party, 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,” the ADC said.

It recalled that the same Lagos airport had a new terminal inaugurated by then-President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2022.

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

The party inquired whether the airport now under renovation was the same one or an entirely different one. It also questioned whether the ₦712 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. The ADC called for the immediate suspension of the project and a full independent audit of the proposed budget,” the opposition party said.

The ADC said funds should be redirected to initiatives that would directly impact the lives of ordinary Nigerians.

It noted that ₦712 billion could fund seven teaching hospitals, provide free education in three zones, implement rural electrification, or undertake road rehabilitation.

(NAN)