Hasty Relocation Of Foreign Airlines Unfortunate – Keyamo

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has described the hasty relocation of foreign airlines from the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos to the new one as unfortunate.

Keyamo made this known on Friday when he received the report of the task force he set up to oversee the relocation of foreign airlines, according to a statement issued by the Aviation Ministry spokesman, Odutayo Oluseyi.

The minister acknowledged that the fire incident that gutted the old terminal in September made the relocation inevitable at the time, assuring that adequate measures would be put in place to avert future occurrences of such an incident.

Keyamo assured travellers that the federal government was committed to overhauling the old terminal of the Lagos airport, which is in a state of disrepair, before the end of his administration.

The minister stated that the Lagos airport accounts for 60% of entry points and exits into Nigeria and appreciated the members of the Task Force for accepting to serve the nation selflessly.

He promised the Task Force the implementation of the recommendation as soon as possible and directed that a meeting be held with the contractors handling the airport on issues of substandard equipment.

Keyamo also assured of the possibility of opening up other entry points into the airport, including the expansion of their work schedule, which is part of the Public Private Partnership agreement.

On the issue of a complete comprehensive plan for the airports, Keyamo said having a master plan will eradicate wastage and encourage concessionaires to make the airports a hub indeed.

He noted that the master plan will take into consideration the existing structures while renovation on the old terminal will not be disrupted.

Recall that the Minister had in September set up the Task Force to resolve the challenges facing the relocation of commercial airlines to the new terminal within the shortest possible period.