The Lagos State Government is set to commence a process for the construction of a new airport on the Lekki axis of the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has sought and obtained approval from the Federal Government for the construction of the new airport in Lagos.
While speaking at a media parley organised by the State Government held at Alausa, Ikeja on Thursday, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), Ope George stated that the project, which is expected to take off in 2023 will be constructed on 3,500 hectares of land.
George noted that the master plan and aeronautical designs have since been completed; while studies are ongoing about strategies, modalities for funding, after which the project will be taken to the market place.
The Special Adviser also explained that the airport, which is expected to cater to a minimum of five million people yearly, will be constructed in partnership with local and foreign investors.
If it comes alive, the airport will lessen the burden on the poorly ageing Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja. It will also serve the fast growing residential cum industrial Lekki hub, where several multi-billion dollar investments are springing up, including the Lekki Deep Seaport and Dangote 650,000bpd refinery,LFTZ among others.
Arup, a firm of consultant engineers, designers, planners and technical specialists; Norton Rose Fulbright, a global legal firm with 54 offices worldwide; Stanbic IBTC Capital, a member of Standard Bank Group, one of Africa’s largest banking groups, which was appointed sole financial adviser, and Banwo & Ighodalo, a Nigerian based law firm have all been working closely with the Lagos State government on the airport project.