Two Months After Commissioning, $111m Port Harcourt Airport Yet To Become Operational


Two Months After Commissioning, $111m Port Harcourt Airport Yet To Become Operational
“It is bad that two months after the commissioning of Port Harcourt airport, we are yet to use the new terminal. We all knew from the beginning that the terminal was not ready, but the minister forced the contractor to commission it. Now, months after the forceful commissioning, no one is able to use the terminal. As at Monday, serious work was still ongoing at the terminal and it may not be ready by March next year. That is the challenge we have been facing in this sector," a source told SaharaReporters.

BY SAHARAREPORTERS, NEW YORKDEC 26, 2018


The commissioning of the Port Harcourt International Airport (PHIA), Omegwa, Port Harcourt on October 25, 2018 was with fanfare, but two months after the inauguration, the airport is yet to be opened for use.

Investigation revealed that the airport, which was constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Ltd. (CCECC) Nigeria, for $111.1million was yet to be completed by the contractor.

A source close to the Ministry of Transport, Aviation Unit, told our correspondent on Wednesday that the new terminal may not be ready for use until March 2019.

According to the source, Hadi Sirika, Nigeria's Minister of State for Aviation, had "hoodwinked President Muhammadu Buhari to commission the terminal after the crisis that trailed the failed attempt on a new national carrier for the country".

It was gathered that the contracting firm had told Sirika that the new terminal was not ready for use, but the minister had insisted on commissioning the terminal at the time in order to get commendation from the president.

Investigation by SaharaReporters revealed that intense work was still ongoing at the new terminal, as several equipment were still being fixed by the contractors.

Speaking on the state of affairs at the airport, the source said: “It is bad that two months after the commissioning of Port Harcourt airport, we are yet to use the new terminal. We all knew from the beginning that the terminal was not ready, but the minister forced the contractor to commission it.

“Now, months after the forceful commissioning, no one is able to use the terminal. As at Monday, serious work was still ongoing at the terminal and it may not be ready by March next year. That is the challenge we have been facing in this sector.”

At the commissioning in October, President Muhammadu Buhari had said that the new terminal would further open up the economic activities in the state as goods and cargo movement would increase in the state and other neighbouring states.

Buhari said the new terminal would accommodate at least seven million passengers annually, adding that it would further bring the nation's aviation industry up to international standards.

He emphasised that plans were underway to link the Port Harcourt Airport to the ongoing construction of the Warri railway line, noting that this would also make air travel affordable and convenient for passengers.

Speaking at the commissioning, Buhari had said: "The concession of four international airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano and Abuja will improve infrastructure in Nigeria. Our desire is to make air travel more affordable to all and this we are achieving with the commissioning of these new terminals. I want to commend the Chinese Exim Bank for their financial support towards the completion of this project".

Also, Nyesom Wike, Governor of Rivers State, had stated that the South South region was happy with the project, stating that it would foster further investment in the state.

"I can tell you this today that the people of Rivers State and the Niger Delta are happy with you Mr. President. This terminal here will help the drive of the state to grow the economy and it will attract investment to the state. What has happened here shows that Rivers State is safe, Rivers State is secure and if it was not, CCECC will not have been here to construct this," Wike said.


http://saharareporters.com/2018/12/26/two-months-after-commissioning-111m-port-harcourt-airport-yet-become-operational

I can bet this will not reach front page

Buckubuck:
I can bet this will not reach front page

And, it did not!

Why is this not on front page. Is the news false or source wrong?

#modified
It finally made fp after days.
In Nigeria things are done to score cheap political point. What harm will it cause if the airport is shut till it is up to standard?
but no, "we must commission it so that people will hail us"

Silensa:
Why is this not on front page. Is the news false or source wrong?

The site is pro APC, so they might kill the news.

Silensa:
Why is this not on front page. Is the news false or source wrong?

Well.. may be hidden untill another "already infested" turns up, am sure lalasticlacla would do otherwise.

Silensa:
Why is this not on front page. Is the news false or source wrong?

It will not get to front page. That is the new Nigeria under Buhari.

bet9ja:


It will not get to front page. That is the new Nigeria under Buhari.

You really need to be an incurable optimistic to still believe in Nigeria (the ways things are currently). Otherwise, how can one rationalise this topic not making front page but Osinbajo in barber's shop occupies prime spot on the front page. Politicians are deceiving us and we are also deceiving ourselves. But, I am sure, it would not be long now!

DrGoodman:


The site is pro APC, so they might kill the news.

Please go and put it on the front page of your pro PDP site. Now, you can go and die.

Let me test your observation.
lalasticlala, this thread.

Really, it's is well

Dominate Google page one with your business see results in my profile

Buckubuck:
I can bet this will not reach front page

bet9ja:


It will not get to front page. That is the new Nigeria under Buhari.

ignant:
Let me test your observation.

lalasticlala, this thread.

The moment u bribe lala with snake

Guys please pray for your mothers. Only few ladies still want their mother in-law alive. �

The Buhari presidency was built on lies and that lie will eventually consume it. What a lifeless regime

Engineerboat. Your stupid thread is on fp . Even though you’re enjoying your ban .
Lmao

Rather late than NEVER!.
It will work ASAP.
No need to propagate hate with this good commendable thing.
Wailers, do you ever get time to do other things in your life as you wail 24/7 so?!
Remember you are going to wail for a very looong time, till 2031 and beyond.........

AutoReportNG was about writing about this airport... We wonder what's keeping it from being operational

Please help us with your advice on this thread, we need your help

https://www.nairaland.com/4925596/how-serve-better-2019-advice

So?

They want it to be world class



Give it time



Like you gave Buhari 4 years to start what?

Next please

lilytender:


Please go and put it on the front page of your pro PDP site. Now, you can go and die.

You lot should learn how to talk... You don't just yank insult @others simply because they refused to buy your ideas...

Blame wike

Today I was reading a post in quora about development in Africa and as usual it was a bad news.

I wonder if there is something God did to black man that's making us not to think into the future, not to plan?

I don't think there is any black country that is half as developed as any European country.

God is not a fair God oooo

For creating white and black.

AutoReportNG:
AutoReportNG was about writing about this airport... We wonder what's keeping it from being operational

Rather late than never.........

You are APC lackey of course,you will never write anything that will discredit them.Please save us that stale tale of yours.

AutoReportNG:
AutoReportNG was about writing about this airport... We wonder what's keeping it from being operational

Packaging everywhere

Nigeria jagajaga nd everything scatter scatter

berrystunn:
Noting was done
Am from that zone

Forget this lie lie government

You lie too much!

Fraudulent government of lairs!