…Lagos, Kano terminal building ready December

Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika said on Tuesday that he will be relocating his office to the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu temporary to directly supervise the rehabilitation of the airport which he said will be completed before the end of April 2020.

The Minister also announced that the new terminal building for the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos and the Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano will be ready before the end of the year.

Sirika who spoke while defending his ministry’s budget before the House on Aviation said with the approval of N10 billion for the Enugu Airport by the President, the contractors are expected to mobilise to site as soon as possible, adding that the President has already directed all agencies associated with the smooth work on the airport to work together to ensure it was delivered on time.

The Minister disclosed that the rehabilitation work on the Enugu airport will be done in such a way that the airport will be the best in the country, adding that all houses located close to the airport may have to give way for increased safety.

He said that the Enugu state governor has given assurance that he will swing into action to ensure that conducive atmosphere is provided for the rehabilitation of the airport and ask the lawmaker to always visit the airport to access progress of work.

Speaking on hygiene in the nation’s airports, the Minister explained that out of the 22 federal airports in the country, 21 of them were clean and hygienic, adding that the only place of concern was the Lagos airport.

He explained that when the Lagos airport was established, it was built to accommodate 200,000 passengers per annum, stressing that today, the airport accommodate traffic of about 8 million annually.

He said that the large volume of traffic makes it impossible for the airport to be clean, stressing that efforts were being made to complete the new terminal building in Lagos to ease the traffic on the old building.

Senator Sirika said further that the delays in the completion of the terminal building in Lagos has been addressed with the approval of funds by the President, stressing that the private hangers that were also hampering the work have started giving way.

He said once the Ministry is able to complete the new terminal building, the old one will be brought down to pave way for a new structure and appealed to the lawmakers for their cooperation in the efforts of the Ministry ensure the nation’s airports are safe.

On the performance of the 2019 budget, the Minister told the lawmakers that only N7,330,178,427.45 representing 20.8 percent of the capital allocation to the Ministry was released, adding that so far N2,627,119,597.14 has been paid out from the released 2019 Budget, while some Certificates of Completion of Projects are being processed for payment.

He appealed for their support to ensure that the Aviation Sector is improved by ensuring that the airports and all the needed equipment necessary for safety and security are provided to meet the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) as outlined by regulatory Aviation bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization (lCAO), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) etc.

He told them that there were challenges with the new Terminals being built with the $500M loan from the China Exim Bank, which include changes in structural design of the airports, foundation footing and escalators; provisions for the biggest modern aircrafts; change in departure and arrival floors to rhyme with the railway station; provision of adequate power supply to ensure all facilities are put to use and relocation of the Control Tower and the Fire Service Station

He said: “the above has resulted in the need for variation and additional works to the tune of $461,795,551.02 which has been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

“The China Exim Bank has indicated willingness to consider funding the above additional works and we have written to the Ministry of Budget and National Planning to provide for the Sum of $73,887,288.16 (N22,535,622,888.00 @N305/$) as counterpart fund in 2019 outside the Ministry’s proposed FGN Budget.

“The President has graciously approved 50% of this Sum and in 3months we are expecting the balance of the remaining 50% of the money.

“For the 2020 Budget Proposal, we have also approach the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning to provide the counterpart funding for remedial/additional works and completion of four Chinese terminals at Kano, Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt (($51 ,800,266.99)(N15,850,881,698.94) has been approved by Mr. President.

He said that about N91.8 billion was being proposed in the 2020 budget for what he called Viability Funding of the new national courier, adding that more Bilateral/Multilateral Air Services Agreement would be signed in 2020 for the benefits of our air travelers. We have developed a road map for the Aviation Sector that will be implemented through Public Private Partnership (PPP).

He disclosed that the establishment of Aerospace University with the support of International Civil Aviation Organization (lCAO) has been approved by the President, adding that the ministry already has a policy of enforcement of expatriate quota in the Industry with the full cooperation of the Ministry of Interior and immigration Service.

Source : https://thenationonlineng.net/enugu-airport-to-be-ready-by-april-2020-hadi-sirika/

Buhari ass lickers like Ngige, Ogbonnaya Onu how far?

I thought we were told December? Now it has moved to April? Silly idiots in office.

Story Story Government. Always promising what they can't deliver. April 2020 will come now and the date will be pushed back

Not surprised!

Closed indefinitely. Let our people who still support this evil Nigeria see for themselves how they're valued. I knew it from the onset.

See them insulting people trying to help them.

Astark:
See them insulting people trying to help them.

Where's d NigeriaAir he wanted to help u with?

Astark:
See them insulting people trying to help them.

Trying to help who ? ...the airport is our right was built with our money

If FG can't maintain let them hand it over to the states

I thought our lunatic president said the airport will be ready before xmas period. Nonsense and ingredient!!!!!!!!!!! they are fooling themselves

We are waiting.......

Bad belles will come here and talk nonsese

Hope this is not another empty promises

I guess the community is harassing the contractors working on the airport that's made it take this long. From 2020 it would be postponed to 2023. Stupid country stupid government

Astark:
See them insulting people trying to help them.

Trying to help them? Is it not a federal government property? Is the FG using private funds to run its activities? Mediocrity will kill some of you because of crass ignorance and rabid tribalism! God forbid!

ZZ22:
I guess the community is harassing the contractors working on the airport that's made it take this long. From 2020 it would be postponed to 2023. Stupid country stupid government

They will soon turn it to campaign promise like d 2nd Niger bridge

Igbos should forget enugu airport till.another president from the south..

That airport has been. Closed indefinitely ..

If not for gej and Stella..that airport wouldnt have come up.?it died the very day Stella left aviation..

The east has been successefuly shut down..by the DULLARD..and there's nothing igbos will do about it..

Enugu airport project till further notice.

This will be a very major achievement in our land.....

We can't wait for the completion of this good project.

Enugu is in the hands of God.

God bless Enugu state.
God bless Nigeria

we go say you talk am... no chop the money ooooooooooooooooooo

Who cares, let them come and use Lagos airport and pay shiek doctor mc oluomo some levies

Promo ! get your website for 13k, see red writing below to contact

From "Enugu Airport will be ready before Christmas" to "Enugu Airport will be ready by April 2020".

The next we will hear[url][/url] is " Vote APC in 2023 to deliver Enugu Airport and Second Niger Bridge".

They will will go to any length to stall Igbo progress, but how long kwanu?

And who is Sirika deceiving with relocating office to Enugu Airport? AY should just give him a spot with stand up comedians in his next show.

Fools.

Turantula:
Buhari ass lickers like Ngige, Ogbonnaya Onu how far?

Hello wailer.........

The way Igbo's are treated in this country further strengthens my believe that they are Jews.
Jews are destined to suffer neglect and persecution wherever they are found but the funny thing is that they always emerge stronger and tougher.
They suffered underthe Egyptian Pharaoh's, today Egypt is no match for Israel.
They survived years of Slavery in Babylon
They survived the Holocaust
They survived a war of attrition launched against them by the Arabs.
Today, they are still tougher and stronger.

I said it!

From Enugu Airport will be ready before Christmas to Before April 2020.

Audio Government

Dia biznex

Nobody can stop Umu Chineke

lolzzz
No problems even if it is Dec 2020.