August 31, (THEWILL) – The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has described the old terminal of Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), in Lagos, as an eyesore and directed all international airlines there to relocate to the new terminal, MMIA 2.
Due to the dilapidated nature of the terminal, Keyamo said that the old international terminal of the airport in Lagos would be shut down by October 1st, 2023.
He also disclosed that he has suspended all plans and arrangements concerning the proposed National Carrier, Nigeria Air.
This is just as the Minister ordered the immediate demolition of Dominion and EAN hangars, to pave way for expansion of the new terminal of MMIA, built by the Chinese engineering company.
Keyamo made these disclosures during a tour of Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, on Thursday.
Speaking during the tour, he said, “The major complaints have been with the old terminal. That place is an eyesore to Nigerians coming into the country. The lifts are not working, the passage is unwelcoming and there is no air conditioner. We have the new terminal but it cannot be used. It was designed without provision for big planes.
“I don’t know what happened and I have been asking the question why they do not have aviobridges that would lead to the big planes. 60 percent of revenue for FAAN come from the Lagos airport. Beyond that, Lagos airport is the gateway and the first impression into the country.
“We must use what we have for now. I have given both international airlines and local airlines till 1st October, to move from the old terminal to the new one. We are going to shut down the old terminal temporarily and sort out all the issues surrounding the old terminal such as concession agreements, etc.”
The Minister had earlier met with ICAO team which is visiting Nigeria for the much-awaited audit of the nation’s airports and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority-NCCA for the Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).
In his welcome address, Keyamo SAN, extolled the virtues of ICAO and recognised its USOAP in the international aviation industry, adding that, “Nigeria no doubt recognises the role of ICAO which is aimed at constantly addressing and enhancing the global aviation safety through coordinated activities.
Speaking directly to the leader of the ICAO team, the minister said, “It is noted that the mission you embarked upon to Nigeria is a very important one aimed at not only promoting the global civil aviation safety through the monitoring of contracting states’ safety oversight capabilities but also improving their systems.”
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
