A fallout between the governor of Taraba State and his predecessor appears to be the reason for halting the completion of Jalingo Airport. The construction of the nearly completed airport was halted in March 2010 by the FAAN, citing technical reasons, and in August 2010 the Taraba State government announced the construction of a whole new airport. Nevertheless, the incomplete airport is capable of handling VIP movements, as the Nigerian president flew into Jalingo Airport recently.
March 1, 2011
August 18, 2010
Taraba State Plans New Airport
The Taraba State government announced plans to construct a completely new airport (N10 billion) in the state. This entails that the current airport under construction in the state capital Jalingo will be abandoned. This project, started by the former administration, is in an advanced state, but allegedly there are technical difficulties in completing the runway.
On another note, governor Danbaba Suntai of Taraba State undertook his first solo flight as a pilot at the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria, last week.
March 29, 2010
FAAN Halts The Construction Of Jalingo Airport
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) ordered the suspension of the construction work at the new Jalingo Airport. An inspection team reportedly discovered major ‘construction defects’. After consultation with FAAN experts, the state government will engage other consultants to work with the contractor to complete the airport.
January 2, 2010
Airports Under Construction Or Proposed In Nigeria
While the Federal Government aims at privatising the airports under FAAN management, several state governments are currently building their own airports. Here is a list of state airports currently under construction or proposed in Nigeria:
- Akwa Ibom Airport, Uyo: partly completed
- Anambra State Airport, Umueri: proposed
- Bayelsa Airport, Yenagoa: proposed
- Asaba Airport, Delta State: under construction
- Ekiti State Airport: proposed
- Lagos State, Lekki International Airport: proposed
- Minna Cargo Airport, Niger State, reconstruction proposed
- Ogun State Cargo Airport: proposed
- Osun State Airport, Ido-Osun, under construction
- Jalingo Airport, Taraba State, under construction
- Zamfara Cargo Airport, Gusau: proposed
Time will tell whether all proposed airports will be built eventually. However, a national master plan should be developed to ensure the economic viability of the existing and new airports. Building an airport seems to be one of the most popular prestige projects a Nigerian state governor can think of nowadays.
Asaba Airport under construction (2009)
