The Lagos State Government has announced its intention to begin construction of a new airport on the state’s Lekki axis.

This was revealed by Mr. Ope George, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnerships (PPP), during a media chat hosted by the State Government on Thursday in Alausa, Ikeja.

George revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration sought and received Federal Government approval for the construction of a new airport in Lagos.

He said that the project, which is expected to take off in the year 2023 will be constructed on 3,500 hectares of land, noting that the master plan and aeronautical designs are in place.

George also stated that studies are ongoing about strategies, funding, and other issues, after which the project will be taken to the marketplace.

The Special Adviser also said that the airport, which is expected to cater to a minimum of 5 million people yearly, will be constructed in partnership with local and foreign investors.

The construction of a new airport by the Lagos State Government had always been in the offing on the Lekki axis, which is one of the 4 important growth corridors in the state.

The Lekki axis has played host to several major development projects such as the Free Trade Zone, the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals, Dangote Fertilizer, the soon-to-be-completed Lekki Deep Sea Port, some major industrial concerns, and others.

According to some earlier reports, the proposed Lekki Airport project is projected to cost about $450 million in its first phase and had originally been planned to commence operations in 2012.

The commencement of operations of the new airport is expected to help decongest the ever-busy Murtala Muhammed Airport at Ikeja, Lagos State.