FEC Approves ₦34.5 Billion Airstrip For Security Operations In Benue State

According to Ireporter Online, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), presided over by President Bola Tinubu, has approved the construction of an airstrip in Gboko, Benue State, valued at ₦34.5 billion, as part of efforts to strengthen security operations in the North-Central region.

The approval is aimed at improving access to communities frequently affected by banditry and kidnapping, while also enhancing the rapid deployment of security personnel and emergency response teams to vulnerable areas.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents after the FEC meeting held on Monday. He explained that Gboko was selected due to its strategic importance and the absence of critical aviation infrastructure, which has previously slowed down security and humanitarian response efforts in the region.

Keyamo stated that the project would include the development of landing and take-off facilities to support both military and emergency operations. He added that the airstrip would significantly improve evacuation processes and medical response for victims of violent attacks.

“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,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, announced that the council also approved road infrastructure projects worth ₦3.933 trillion across the country. According to him, an additional ₦15 billion was approved for the Yola-Fufore-Gurin Road project in Adamawa State, while ₦15.23 billion was allocated for the rehabilitation of failed sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway (Ibadan axis) using concrete pavement.

Umahi further revealed that the FEC approved the construction of a section of the Suleja-Minna Road as a dual carriageway, to be executed by the Dangote Group at an estimated cost of ₦810 billion. He also noted that ₦2.077 trillion was approved for 23 road projects spanning 10 states, including Adamawa, Abia, Lagos, and Kaduna.

He added that these approvals reflect the Federal Government’s continued drive to expand and modernize Nigeria’s road infrastructure network to improve connectivity and economic development across the country.