Festus Keyamo, SAN, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has made the decision to suspend two significant projects from the previous administration led by President Muhammadu Buhari – the contentious Nigeria Air Project and the controversial airport concessioning endeavors.
The Nigeria Air project and the concessioning of major airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, and Port Harcourt have ignited substantial debate. This has prompted experts within the aviation sector to advocate for their suspension, citing a lack of tangible benefits for the industry.
During his inaugural visit and comprehensive tour of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, the Minister of Aviation announced his resolution to halt all ongoing plans and arrangements pertaining to the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air.
Turning attention to the matter of relocating international airlines to the new terminal in Lagos, Keyamo elaborated on the challenges. He pointed out that the underutilization of the new terminal was due to its inability to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft. Keyamo revealed that while the airlines would temporarily operate from this terminal, the government would acquire larger buses to facilitate passenger transportation.
Keyamo also confirmed that by October 1, 2023, the old international terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos would be closed for renovation. Furthermore, he outlined plans for the relocation of private hangars, including Dominion Hangar and EAN Hangar, to make way for the expansion of the new terminal.
In acknowledging the issues surrounding the old terminal, Keyamo admitted to the validity of complaints raised by arriving Nigerians. He described the existing terminal as unwelcoming, emphasizing concerns such as malfunctioning lifts, unpleasant passageways, and inadequate air conditioning. Notably, he emphasized that despite the availability of the new terminal, it remains nonoperational due to its lack of capacity to accommodate larger aircraft.
