The Nigerian Government will move ahead with plans to develop aerotropolises (an urban plan in which the layout, infrastructure, and economy is centred around an airport) in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt. Currently the four cities' airports handle the bulk of Nigeria's passenger & cargo traffic.
Speaking in Abuja during the 2013 Aviation Sector Mid-Term Ministerial Platform, Aviation Minster Princess Stella Oduah said all the necessary framework to ensure the success of this initiative, intended to be largely private sector-driven and funded, is being put in place.
“These four are the airports at the core of Aerotropolis Nigeria. From these airports, connections can be made to most of Africa, Europe, Asia, South Africa, America and the Middle East. At present, these airports are responsible for a huge percentage of international cargo into and out of Nigeria. It is expected that this percentage will rise substantially over the next five years. This added to the huge socio-economic and political activities going on in these already established airport cities make them apt locations for aerotropolis,” the minister also said.
Among the basic details revealed about the Aerotropolises thus far are that:
Both the Abuja and Lagos Aerotropolis will have a mix of Agro
processing, manufacturing, construction, IT, Shopping and
Conference/Hospitality, reflecting the diverse economy of the
regions as well the high level of aviation traffic which give
these two cities the potential to be the Conference capitals of
West, East and Central Africa. Taking into account the rapid
population growths in both Lagos and Abuja, land has also
been allocated for residential property to cater for this increased
population.
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| Lagos Aerotropolis |
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| Abuja Aerotropolis |
The Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Federal Government, through the Nigerian Ports Authority and a private investor - Lekki Port Lekki Free Trade Zone Enterprise, LPLE, has also commenced the development of the Lekki Deep Seaport in Akodo, and Lekki-Epe International Airport to serve Lagos. So far, 3'500 hectares of land earmarked has been for the project with preliminary works including the clearing of 150 hectares (for the runway), 4.5km of the access road and 9km of perimeter road having been done.
Kano Aerotropolis will primarily focus on perishable goods, agro-processing and storage, taking into account its proximity to local
food producing regions.
Port Harcourt Aerotropolis will focus mainly on
the manufacturing and petroleum sectors reflecting the economy of the region. The fact
that a lot of petroleum conglomerates also located in the region provides an opportunity
for
Conference and Hotel facilities.
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| Port Harcourt Aerotropolis |
The need for additional infrastructure, as well as the upgrading of current aviation facilities comes as over the past 12 years, passenger traffic at Nigeria's airports has increased from 4.4million to 14.9million pax per annum at the end of 2012 (over 230%), while the capacity of the terminal buildings has remained constant. In line with the objectives of its National Integrated Infrastructure Master Plan, by 2032, government is expecting to process 30million passengers per annum. As part of its Three-Phase Airports Remodelling Project, the construction of five new international terminal buildings in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and Enugu is also planned. Lagos has thus far been given the go-ahead with its international terminal being expanded.
Download the full 2013 Aviation Sector Mid-Term Ministerial Platform presentation here .
Download the Brochure for the Aerotropolis Nigeria project here.
