By Citizensplatform
The newly remodeled 2.8 Million passenger capacity General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos was commissioned on Monday. Speaking at the Commissioning, Secretary to the Government of the Federal (SGF) Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, emphasized that Nigeria cannot be left behind in the aviation sector as a global industry.
The SGF commended the Federal Government’s efforts in improving the airport terminals, he however noted that the transformation agenda of government is not limited to remodelling of airport terminals or the construction of new ones, but that it also covers all aspects of the industry including the provision and distribution of modern equipment that would ensure safety of Nigeria airspace, accurate weather reporting, comfort and security of passengers, as well as the safety of airplanes.
He added that it also entails the re-organisation of the aviation parastatals including reorganization, training and retraining of staff in the industry to enable them adapt to the new challenges in the industry.
According to Senator Anyim, “Government shall be willing to provide the platform to resolve all issues affecting public interest and of course the general well being of our people. I am informed that the commissioning of this terminal today will present the terminal for serialization of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and at the end of which the terminal will be opened for public use. This of course is in accordance with international best practices”.
The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah disclosed that the remodeling cost N648million. She said that the government is very prudent with its spending and determined to give state-of-the-art facilities that would stand the test of time. She further disclosed that the ministry is to commission about eight more terminals between now and January 2013.
On the claim by the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Mohammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, that the GAT was concessioned to it by the Federal Government, Princess Oduah insisted that the terminal was not part of the agreement the concessionaire had with the government.
The Managing Director Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi also explained that the government was not contravening any aspects of the concession agreement. The new GAT he said was built in the interest of the general public, he also added that Bi-Courtney did not have the capacity to handle Arik, that is why Arik operates a GAT.
Mr. Uriesi on a radio discussion program pointed out that the re-modeling was in the real sense construction of a new terminal “though we call this projects re-modeling, the fact is that we significantly expanded current existing terminal and we have totally renewed it.
Uriesi also highlighted other terminals currently undergoing re-modeling which include Benin, Kano, Owerri, and Kaduna stating that while keeping to the N750million target, “The philosophy is to provide a dignified and respectful airport experience for Nigerians and anybody using the airports.”
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