11 More Airports earmarked for remodelling

Aviation Nigeria

The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Odua, has said that the second set of 11 airports have been earmarked for re-modelling.

This was stated by the Director, Cargo Development of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Mr Rowland.

Ofubue, who represented the aviation minister made this statement in Jos on Friday while visiting Governor Jonah Jang in Jos.

"The designated airports would receive government attention as soon as the first set of 11 airports currently undergoing remodeling are completed and commissioned by the end of the first quarter of 2013" she said.

Ofubue also noted that for the first time ever, in the history of the industry, 11 airports are undergoing remodeling simultaneously while another set is in the waiting

The Minister said the purpose of her visit to the state was to rub minds with the government on the commencement of Agro-cargo operation from Yakubu Gowon Airport, Jos, adding that President Goodluck Jonathan was committed to the completion of the agro-cargo terminal.

Governor Jonah Jang who was represented by his deputy Mr Ignatius Longjan, expressed the readiness of the state support the presidents transformation agenda.

Jang re-assured the minister his administration was committed to improve agriculture, and was looking forward to the cooperation with the aviation ministry to complete the agro-cargo terminal.

Air frieght business will transform Nigeria's economy - FAAN Director.

Sky Watch Nigeria.

The Ministry of Aviation, has concluded plans to make Nigeria a leading exporter of agricultural produce, through the nation’s airports, in line with the Federal Government’s transformation agenda for the aviation sector of the economy.

The Director of the Cargo Development, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), Mr. Rowland Ofulue, stated this today when he had an interactive session with the representatives of international cargo airlines and members of the Association of Foreign  Airlines in Nigeria. The airlines include Qatar Airline, Saudi Arabian Airline, Emirates, Kenya Airways, Cargolux Airline, Landover, Air France, KLM and Alitalia, Base Aviation, Delta Airline, DHL and Fedex.

He explained that the recent creation of a new directorate of cargo development in FAAN was among several strategies adopted by the Federal Government to steer the nation from being an oil and gas dependent economy to a multi-pronged economy that will create more jobs for Nigerians. 

He said that the new directorate was poised to create an enabling environment that will boost cargo development at major Nigerian airports, where more emphasis had been laid on passenger movements and other related businesses.

Ofulue informed the group that the Federal Government had concluded plans to build new cargo terminals in twelve airports across the country and invited them to take advantage of this huge investment to contribute to the growth of the country’s economy, through increased air cargo operations.

He also said that an agro-allied economy could evolve from the development of the cargo terminals being planned nationwide, adding that a lot of perishable food items that were produced in the country could be exported through the nation's airports as it was the practice  in neighboring countries that rely solely on such export for the sustenance of their economies.

Mr Ofulue later called for the support of the association in checking unwholesome practices in cargo business which are against international standards and practices. Members of the association promised to work closely with FAAN to achieve the transformation of the nation’s economy through enhanced cargo operations.