FEC Approves ₦34.5 Billion Airstrip For Benue Security Operations

The Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved the construction of an airstrip in Gboko, Benue State, at a cost of ₦34.5 billion.

The council said the project was aimed at strengthening security operations in Benue State and the North-Central region by improving access to communities frequently attacked by bandits and kidnappers.

NEWSNGR reports that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this on Monday while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting.

Keyamo said the airstrip would provide critical infrastructure to support security agencies in responding swiftly to emergencies in remote areas.

He described Gboko as a strategic location, noting that the absence of an airstrip had hampered the rapid deployment of security personnel and emergency response teams.

According to him, the approval will enable the ministry to begin work on the project, including the construction of landing and take-off facilities to support military and humanitarian operations.

“The Gboko airstrip will strengthen efforts to tackle insecurity. It will also improve the response of security agencies and emergency medical services across the region, especially in the evacuation and treatment of victims of attacks,” Keyamo said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, said the council also approved road projects worth ₦3.933tn across the country.

He disclosed that FEC approved an additional ₦15 billion for the Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road project in Adamawa State.

Umahi also announced the approval of ₦15.23 billion for the rehabilitation of the Ibadan end of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, particularly the failed sections, which will be reconstructed using concrete pavement.

The minister further said the council approved the construction of a section of the Suleja-Minna Road as a dual carriageway by the Dangote Group at a cost of about ₦810bn.

Umahi added that FEC also approved ₦2.077 trillion for 23 road projects across 10 states, including Adamawa, Abia, Lagos and Kaduna.

He said the approvals formed part of the Federal Government’s ongoing efforts to improve road infrastructure and enhance connectivity across the country.