The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has disclosed that the Federal Government was spending N1 billion monthly to power the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
He stated this Monday during the ministerial press briefing in Abuja to mark President Bola Tinubu’s first year in office.
According to Keyamo, the ministry is planning to reduce the heavy cost by investing in solar power systems.
Keyamo explained that the ministry was bypassing the power distribution companies to buy electricity directly from the generating companies, saying that method would save the Federal Government about N300 million.
“We want to run our airports with solar and that will save us so much every month. Lagos airport alone, I was told we do N1 billion every month, and I asked why.
“The first thing I said they should do is bypass the Discos and go to the Gencos because we are eligible customers. Why do you pay a Disco that will add profit when you are an eligible customer? Cut them off and go to the Gencos straight.
“We are doing that and they are protesting up and down to go and meet the president. By doing that, we are saving 30 per cent. When we are supposed to pay N1 billion, we will pay N600 million,” the minister stated.
Meanwhile, Keyamo emphasised that the Nigeria Air project remained suspended (READ MORE).
Keyamo: Nigeria Air was Never Nigeria Air but Fraud