Former aviation minister, Senator Stella Oduah tactically avoided deliberations at Wednesday’s plenary on the proposed review of contract for the construction of the second Runway for the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The project, which is estimated at N63.5 billion, was described by the Senate as an attempt to ‘steal and rape’ Nigerians.

At plenary, the Senate still called on the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency construct a second runway at the airport.

It also urged the federal government to ensure that due process and diligence was followed in the award of contracts, for the construction of the second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport.

These resolutions were sequel to a motion by Senator Dino Melaye, APC, Kogi West, entitled, ” the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, Second Runway- Contract.”

The senate while calling on the federal government to drastically reduce what it termed, the unrealistic cost, said that the federal government must monitor the contract award process, even as it stressed the need for the immediate construction of the second runway at the airport.

Earlier in his presentation of the motion, Senator Melaye noted that the contract for the construction of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja Second Runway, was cancelled by the last administration after allegations of over inflation of contracts was established.

Melaye, who fururther noted that the contract was awarded by the Federal Executive Council at the cost of N64 billion after ratification by the Bureau for Public Procurement, added that there was also the great need for the construction of a second runway since according to him, “the existing one is not only bad but inadequate.”

According to him, the entire Gombe Airport, with 3.6km runaway cost N8.2 billion, Jigawa Airport cost a total of N11 billion, Bauchi cost N12 billion, Enugu Airport’s cost for reconstruction and expansion was put at N13 billion and Akwa Ibom Airport was constructed at N18.05 billion.

He, therefore, expressed worry that the proposed cost of constructing just a runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, was astronomical, insisting that the amount was four times the cost of constructing a brand new airport in the country.

Senator Melaye expressed further worry that the new Terminal 5 in Heathrow Airport, with four lanes of 4m runway cost less than N22 billion, saying constructing a 3. 8km runway one-line for N63.5 billion would be a waste of fund considering Nigeria’s present economic situation.

He said, “The publication that the contract is already undergoing review and to be awarded at 63.5 billion as published by newspapers is another attempt to steal and rape Nigerians of our common patrimony.

“Further convinced by the fact that the entire Gombe airport with 36km.runway cost of 8.2 billion naira, Jigawa airport cost 12 billion, Enugu airport was constructed and expanded at 13 billion naira and Akwa-ibom airport at 18.05 billion Naira.

“This astronomical amount is about four times the cost of constructing a brand new airport in Nigeria.

“As a representative of the people, we must advise that due process and strict adherence to Public Procurement Act be observed in the said contract of the Second Abuja Airport Runaway.

“If this is not brought to attention of the government now, there may be another fraud in the making, given the comparative analysis of cheaper cost across the country”.

In his remarks, the Senate President, Bukola Saraki tasked the government to put in motion necessary machinery to construct a better runway at the Abuja International Airport just as he advocated for due process in awarding the contract.

He noted that the amount bandied for being the cost for constructing the second runway at the airport was unacceptable and stressed that the Senate would do its best to ensure that there was probity in award of contracts not only in the aviation sector, but other sectors of the economy.

He added that there was the need to stop what he described as the reckless expenditures while awarding contracts in the country and that it was the responsibility of the senate to perform the oversight functions in awarding these contracts.

“Agencies and MDAs should know that time is over. All contracts must be done prudently and those type of figures will not be accepted.

“I hope once the standing committees are put in place, not only in aviation but any part of our economy, this type of contracts will never surface again,” he said.