Monday 9 June 2014

Federal Government said the remodelling of the four major international airports in Nigeria will be completed within 24 months.

Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom
The Federal Government on Monday said the remodelling of the four major international airports in Nigeria will be completed within 24 months.

The Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, stated this while inspecting the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The other terminals are Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano international airports.

Ortom said work on these terminals commenced in March this year and noted that although the time line for the completion was 24 months, progress reports showed that the airports might be completed before their due dates.

He said, “Well the time line is 24 months, but from the progress of work that we see here today, they are most likely going to deliver before that due date. This work actually started simultaneously across the four airports in March.

“They (contractors) are working very hard and I’m impressed with the quality of work and the commitments of the contractors handling the projects. This has also provided opportunities for Nigerians to work here.

“There are over 600 Nigerians working here, same with the other three international terminals in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Kano. This certainly has reduced unemployment. I will come here constantly to monitor the standard and ensure quick delivery of project.”

When completed, the project, according to Ortom, would significantly transform the aviation sector, boost revenue generation and trigger high passenger traffic.

The minister said the terminals will be built to world class standard and will accommodate eight aircraft at the same time.

He noted that the terminals were part of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government as contained in the aviation master plan, adding that “there is no going back on these projects.”

The minister also stated that the planned aviation development levy would come handy as the government strives in improving infrastructure across the key international airports.

“We are working hard to improve our IGR (Internally Generated Revenue) in making sure that we complete all these projects. The coming airport development levy will help government defray the cost of some of these projects,” he said.
(Source - Punch)

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