The Federal Government Monday unveiled the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos built at the cost of N648 million.
Before cutting the tape to open the facility for service, the Secretary to the Federal Government, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said the rehabilitation of the airport structures would mark the beginning of the total transformation of the nation’s airports.
He stated that by next year government would embark on the building of new terminal at the Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports.
The new GAT may be the largest domestic terminal in the country with expansive departure, arrival and offices in the one story facility, which was built to meet modern airport standards.
Anyim, who commended the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, expressed surprise at how she was able to complete the terminal in 11 months at relatively low budget, disclosing that the facility would be certified by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) before it would be put into service.
Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), George Uriesi who spoke to the media after the inauguration, said the remodelled terminal unlike before now has the capacity of 2.8 million passengers per annum.
He observed that the new GAT terminal was the first terminal facility that would be built in any of Federal Government owned airports in 30 years and explained that the terminal which used to handle 400 passengers was now able to handle 1,500 passengers per hour and would improve the economics of the business in Lagos.
Meanwhile, Oduah has said that the remodelled GAT does not belong to Bi-Courtney.
Speaking through her Special Assistant on Media, Mr Joe Obi, she explained that the location of GAT has never been concessioned to Bi-Courtney Ltd, adding that the agreement with the firm has a survey plan clearly marked in square metres.
Oduah said: “Information at our disposal indicates that Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, the concessionaire to MM2, apparently threatened by the imminent opening of the newly reconstructed and remodelled GAT, Lagos is mounting a media campaign in an attempt to blur or diminish the unprecedented achievement of the Aviation Minister.”
“It is inconceivable that anyone would not only contemplate, but also hold fast to the jaundiced belief that a nation as big and great as Nigeria ought not to progress beyond having a terminal like MM2.
“Regarding allegations that there are subsisting court orders restraining anybody, including FAAN which is the landlord of all federal airports in Nigeria from further development of the GAT, we need to stress that the cases are still on-going.
The minister further added: “In fact, our case is currently before the Supreme Court, challenging the Orders being referred to mainly, but not limited to the fact that in several of these cases, FAAN, as a principal interested party was never fully represented.
“Most of the cases and attempts at arbitration were conducted without the full incorporation and participation of FAAN. Those behind Bi-Courtney, relying on their privileged positions and closeness to the corridors of power at the time conspired to leave out FAAN in most of the adjudication and arbitration processes.”
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