By Abdullahi Yusuf
Prominent stakeholder of the All Progressives Congress(APC) in Kano State,Dr.Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso, has said that the recent approval of N46 billion by the Federal Government for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport has further validated the love President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has for the Northern region and its people.
Dr.Musa Iliyasu Kwankwaso,who is also the Director Finance Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority(HJRBDA), made the remarks while responding to the President’s gesture in Kano on Thursday.
“The all-important approval of the sum of N46 billion for the resurfacing and reconstruction of the second runway of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport is a very clear indication that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu loves the North and the Northerners and is concerned about the region’s growth and development.
“I, therefore, expect my fellow Northerners to, regardless of political affiliations, appreciate President Tinubu for the gesture, as this is something that will boost commercial activities in the entire region.
“We should imbibe the culture of appreciating something good done to us, and not always to be screaming about every small negative development, while ignoring positive things that come our way,” the APC bigwig said.
He also commended President Tinubu, the Chairman Aviation Governing Board and former APC National Chairman,Dr.Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, the Minister of Aviation, the Chairman House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Kabir Abubakar Bichi, and all others who facilitated the approval of the project.
Kwankwaso further stated that the completion of the resurfacing of the airport’s second runway would enable the facility to regain its lost glory as the Northern Economic Gateway.
He appealed to the Northern Elite, religious and traditional leaders to show their appreciation and as well, “inculcate in their respective families love and support for leaders who thrive to develop their region.”
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development,Mr. Festus Keyamo, announced the approval while commissioning the airport’s newly-remodeled Muhammadu Adamu Dankabo Domestic Terminal.
Keyamo said about 60 per cent of the contract sum had already been released,and that the contractor had mobilised to site.
He said the project is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to upgrade the Kano Airport and strengthen its position as a major aviation and commercial gateway for Northern Nigeria.