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FG to complete airport repairs in 24 months

By BusinessNews Staff on June 11, 2014

The Federal Government on Monday said the remodelling of the four major international airports in the country would be completed in 24 months.

The Supervising Minister of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom, stated this while inspecting the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The other airports are located in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Kano.

Ortom said the remodelling work on the airport terminals commenced in March this year and noted that although the timeline for the completion was 24 months, progress reports showed that they might be completed before their due dates.

He said, “Well, the timeline is 24 months, but from the progress of work that we see here today, they are most likely going to deliver before that due date. This work actually started simultaneously across the four airports in March.

“The contractors are working very hard and I am impressed with the quality of work and the commitment of the contractors handling the projects. This has also provided opportunities for Nigerians to work here.

“There are over 600 Nigerians working here; same with the other three international terminals in Port Harcourt, Lagos and Kano. This, certainly, has reduced unemployment. I will come here constantly to monitor the standard and ensure quick delivery of the project.”

When completed, the projects, according to Ortom, will significantly transform the aviation sector, boost revenue generation and trigger high passenger traffic.

The minister said the terminals would be built to world class standard and would accommodate eight aircraft at the same time.

He noted that the remodelled terminals were part of the transformation agenda of the Federal Government as contained in the Aviation Master Plan, adding that “there is no going back on these projects.”

The minister also stated that the planned Aviation Development Levy would come handy as the government was trying to improve infrastructure across the key international airports.

“We are working hard to improve our IGR in making sure that we complete all these projects. The coming airport development levy will help the government to defray the cost of some of these projects,” Ortom added.

[Punch]

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