The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has approved a N9.8 billion contract to Julius Berger Plc for the rehabilitation of roads and facilities at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
The approval was granted during the 9th Executive Council meeting held at the FCT Secretariat on Friday. The contract, valued at N9,874,326,036.10, includes a six-month completion timeline, according to Shehu Ahmad, Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), who briefed reporters following the meeting.
Ahmad explained that Julius Berger, the contractor awarded the project, has a history of managing the facility. The project will focus on essential infrastructure improvements, including the refurbishment of the main link road and creating an access road to the Presidential Kitchen, as well as upgrades to the hangar housing the presidential aircraft and a holding centre for visiting heads of state.
“The second memo presented by the FCDA concerns some rehabilitation work, specifically the construction of the existing link road from Bill Clinton Drive to the Presidential Wing,” Ahmad stated. “If you have traveled that road, you would know it is in a state of disrepair, and other facilities within the Presidential Wing have shown signs of distress and dilapidation, so they are to be rehabilitated.”
He added that the plan includes addressing other critical areas. “There is a presidential kitchen located within the Presidential Wing, but there is no access road from the main road to this area. We plan to provide that road and also rehabilitate the hangar housing the presidential aircraft,” he said.
Ahmad further highlighted additional upgrades, such as the installation of runway lights at the Presidential Wing and improvements to a guest house that serves as a holding area for visiting dignitaries.