Babalakin Advocates Modern Terminals In Abuja, Kano, Ph

Babalakin Advocates Modern Terminals In Abuja, Kano, PH



Stories By Rotimi Durojaiye,

Senior Aviation Correspondent, Lagos



Chairman of Bi-Courtney Consortium, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN), has called for the construction of modern world -class airport terminals in Abuja, Kano and Port-Harcourt.

He said the Federal Government’s determination to transform Nigeria into the aviation hub of West Africa could only be achieved when it has modern terminals at other gateway airports.

Babalakin who spoke while receiving members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation on inspection tour of the ultra-modern Terminal One of the Murtala Mohammed Airport in Lagos being handled by his company, said the company and other local investors needed the cooperation and support of the stakeholders in order to succeed in such ventures.

Bi-Courtney is handling the Lagos Airport project under the Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) arrangement.

As a firm believer in the future of Nigeria, the chairman said he recognised the need to support government in its quest to transform the Nigerian economy and make it private-sector driven.

Babalakin said the new terminal project has been in the spotlight due to its strategic place in the country’s aviation development.

“We need and seek the cooperation of the Committee. We also urge the Federal Government to offer encouragement to private investors in the onerous task of developing our great country”, he said.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria added that planning was essential for the successful implementation of any project policy.

He said the task has been herculean but was thankful to God that the execution stage was gradually coming to an end and that the company was working closely with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure the completion of the project on schedule.

Chairman of the Committee, Hadi Sirika, who led four other members, said they were in Lagos to access the pace of work, and assured that the Committee would do all in its power to provide support to the Bi-Courtney and other private sectors in the aviation industry.

He said Nigerians would be proud of the airport when completed as it would boast of world standard facilities that were available in only a few worldwide for the benefit of air travelers, airport users, airline operators and concessionaires.

Apart from ultra-modern arrival and departure lounges, the new terminal will be equipped with such facilities as shopping malls, banking halls, medical facilities, conveyors, post office, car parks, walkways, and offices among others.

As part of the terminal is a 160-room four-star edifice built over six floors on the old car park across the road, and will boast of airline lounges, shopping malls, restaurants, casinos, a banquet hall that would sit 1,000 guests and a swimming pool, among other state-of-the-art facilities.

There will be two presidential suites, 10 royal rooms and 148 double rooms, with a hanging staircase made of hardened glass material.

It will be linked to the terminal car park by an overhead bridge to ensure that the smooth flow of traffic within the vicinity is not obstructed.

The bridge will be tastefully designed and walled to provide refreshing comfort, beauty and luxury.

Yes, I heared the new domestic terminal at MM Airport is really nice. Anyone with pictures
please share