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FG may reopen MMIA cargo terminal next week

By BusinessNews Staff on January 2, 2015

Indications have emerged that the Federal Government may reopen the cargo terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos next week.

This is because the congestion, which led to the closure of the terminal two weeks ago by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, has now been cleared.

A visit by our correspondent to the terminal on Wednesday revealed that goods, which littered the ramp up until a week ago, had now been cleared to a large extent.

A source at FAAN, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak on the issue, told our correspondent that work had progressed significantly on the terminal, which meant that it could be reopened by next week.

He said, “From the level of work that has been ongoing there, I can say that the terminal may be reopened sooner than we think, maybe within the next seven days or so.

“The truth is that all hands have been on deck to ensure that the congestion is cleared and activities return to normal there, because the continuous closure of that place will translate into loss of revenue; so, I am sure it will be reopened soon.”

Also confirming the possible reopening, the Customer Relationship Manager, Cargo, nahcoaviance, Mr. Oyebade Abiodun, told our correspondent that activities had progressed in such a way that the terminal might be re-opened soon.

He said, “As of today, we have achieved 75 per cent clearance on the cargo ramp. Out of the four parking bays, three are currently open for aircraft parking. We still stand by our determination to ensure that the tarmac is completely free on or before the end of first week of January, 2015.

“Grapevine information has it that the NOTAM (Notice to Airmen) will be lifted any moment from now. With the current situation of above 75 per cent clearance of the cargo ramp, FAAN may immediately allow the freighters to start coming in.”

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