Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

The Federal Government will still carry out another round of upgrade works on the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for 18 weeks after the facility would have been reopened for operations on April 19.

A top Presidency official who spoke on the condition of anonymity disclosed this to journalists in Abuja on Sunday.

The airport is currently shut to allow reconstruction work on its runway. The work which is in its third week is expected to last six weeks.

Quoting from a report of the Federal Government Coordinating Committee overseeing the management of the airport repair, closure and relocation, the Presidency official said unlike the ongoing work on the runway, the 18-week upgrade would not necessitate closure of the airport.

He said the upgrade would be done in the night, hence will not disrupt flight operations.

“After the Abuja Airport reopens for operations on April 19, upgrade works on the runway will continue for another 18 weeks.

“This second phase of upgrade works on the runway will be carried out at night, with no disruption to flight schedules,” he said.

He added that a media tour to allow journalists observe and assess the progress on the airport’s runway repair will hold this week as the repair enters its mid-point on Wednesday

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