Barring any hitch, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will close the 2.7 kilometre 18L/36R domestic runway of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) to enable it effect installation of the Runway Airfield lighting.
Lightning components on the domestic runway have been absent since the facility was rehabilitated in 2008.
Sources said the runway might be closed from Thursday, July 7 and work will commence without disruptions.
The source said normal operations would continue on Runway 18R/36L, which is the International Runway.
In a letter signed by the Acting Regional General Manager, Southwest, who also doubles as the Airport Manager, Arewa Olatokunbo invited airline operators to an emergency meeting yesterday to determine the effect of the closure.
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The letter reads: “You are invited to an emergency meeting to discuss the closure of Runway 18L/36R for the job completion of the Runway Airfield lighting installation. “
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, in March got another N3,523,592,079 approval for safety-critical projects of the Ministry as the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
The amount is for two major projects on facilitation and airfield lighting.
The sum is for the supply and installation of airfield ground lighting for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano.
Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu had recently hinted that a solution was in sight as agreements have been reached on how to implement the project.
He said : “ 18Left has been delayed because of a current contract that has been for many years and finally, the minister has graciously accepted to resolve that issue . He has agreed to grant us permission or approval to quickly procure a new lighting system. You know FAAN is a government agency; we cannot work and procure a new project when there is an existing one on the same facility.
“ So many things you see that are delayed, are not delayed because of negligence or lack of attention, it’s because you have to follow due process.”