The Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, announced on Thursday that the Federal Government has allocated more than N15 billion to expand the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport terminal in Katsina State.
Speaking at the airport premises during the ground-breaking ceremony, Sirika stated that the expansion of the terminal would create more than 1500 new jobs, improve trade, and open up new opportunities in the state. He also mentioned that the project would be completed in 12 months, with all necessary facilities in place except for the building.
During a press briefing after the event, the Minister confirmed that the project is aimed at boosting economic activities in the state, Sikira said: “Over 70 per cent of the required sum for the project has been made available.
“The fire truck maintenance and the overall rehabilitation centre cost about about N14 billion.
“All the facilities have been procured and are in place. We are just waiting for the building to finish to mount them.
“It is our hope that the terminal building will be delivered in 12 months. “The cargo centre is about N1.4 billion but there is a slight request for adjustment.
“That will be done within a completion of six months. “The pavement will be completed in six months and it is at the cost of about N1.3 billion.”
During the ceremony at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua International Airport in Katsina, the Commissioner for Land and Survey in the state, Dr. Bashir Gambo Saulawa, spoke on behalf of the Katsina Governor, Aminu Bello Masari. Saulawa expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for bringing the airport expansion project to the state.
He also assured that the compensation and resettlement of the displaced persons who owned the land where the project is being carried out have been taken care of, with the state government paying a sum of about N230 million to beneficiaries who owned 110 hectares of the land. Governor Masari’s representative further stated that the airport expansion project will remain significant to the people of the state.
