A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kano State, Alhaji (Dr.) Iliyasu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the Federal Government’s approval of ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, describing the move as evidence of the President’s commitment to the development of Northern Nigeria.
Dr. Kwankwaso, who is also the Director of Finance at the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), made the remarks in Kano on Thursday while reacting to the approval of the project.
He said the intervention demonstrated President Tinubu’s commitment to the growth and economic advancement of the North, noting that the project would significantly boost commercial activities across the region.
According to him, Northerners should appreciate the President’s gesture regardless of political affiliation.
“The approval of ₦46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is a clear indication that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu loves the North and its people and is committed to the region’s growth and development,” he said.
Kwankwaso urged residents of the region to cultivate the habit of acknowledging positive government interventions instead of focusing solely on negative developments.
He also commended President Tinubu, Chairman of the Aviation Governing Board and former APC National Chairman, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, and others who contributed to securing the approval.
The APC chieftain expressed optimism that the reconstruction of the airport’s second runway would restore the facility’s status as the economic gateway to Northern Nigeria.
He further appealed to Northern elites, as well as religious and traditional leaders, to appreciate the project and encourage support for leaders pursuing developmental initiatives in the region.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced the approval during the commissioning of the newly remodelled Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport.
According to the minister, about 60 per cent of the contract sum has already been released, while the contractor has mobilised to the site to commence work.
Keyamo said the runway reconstruction forms part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to modernise the Kano airport and reinforce its role as a major aviation and commercial hub
for Northern Nigeria.
