The Minister of Aviation
Princess Stella Oduah has said that the remodelling and reconstruction of 11
airports across the country have reached 80% completion and would be completed
and put to immediate use in the next few weeks.
The Aviation Minister made
the remarks Thursday, September 6th, 2012 at the Aviation Ministry while
addressing press men over the state of the nation's airports and activities of
the Ministry.
The completed airports
that have been under going a face-lift by the administration led by Princess
Oduah, and ready for use according to the Aviation boss includes: the Murtala
Mohammed International airport and the GeneraL Aviation Terminal (GAT), both in
Lagos; the Nnamdi Azikiwe International airport, Abuja; the Port Harcourt
International airport, Omagwa, the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu and
the Malam Aminu Kano International airport, Kano Others include the Margaret
Ekpo International airport, Calabar, Yakubu Gowon airport, Jos; the Yola, Kaduna
and Sam Mbakwe airport, Owerri.
Princess Oduah stated, “We
have really come a long way since we assumed office last year. When we came on
board, we had only one mission on our minds-to transform, in very tangible and
significant ways, the face of Nigeria's Air Transport Industry. After going
round to inspect the state of infrastructure and facilities around our airports,
and seeing the extent and level of decay and dilapidation, our resolve to make a
difference was even more strengthened’’.
She noted that the second
phase of the remodelling works for the remaining 11 airports will commence
shortly and at the end of the exercise, all 22 airports under the management of
the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will modern look.
The Minister said the
second phase of the implementation strategy of the Road Map falls under the
medium term programme of action, which is the construction of five new
international terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu.
“Only yesterday, we
achieved a significant milestone in this regard when Mr. President and the
Federal Executive Council (FEC) graciously granted approval for the award of
contract for the immediate take-off of construction work on these terminals’’,
the Minister said
According to the Minister,
the present administration is prepared to provide Nigerians and the travelling
public with airports that truly tell the story of the Nigerian nation; as what
is seen today is not befitting of Nigeria as the giant of Africa .
The Aviation Minister also
gave an insight over the government's resolve to return Dana Airline’s
commercial operations.
“Dana Airline which was
suspended after the unfortunate and tragic crash of June 3rd. Our action is
based on our satisfaction, after carrying out a technical audit of the operator,
that the airline is airworthy. While we continue to share in the pain and loss
of the families of those who lost their loved ones in the crash, we want to
stress that we took this decision with all sense of responsibility. Government
was not under any pressure to restore the airline’s operating license and we
want to assure Nigerians and the travelling public that safety remains our
priority’’. She stated.
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