Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who disclosed the plans on Friday, at the 6th Stakeholders Forum held in Lagos, pointed out that some of these reasons for the planned closure, include the Airport’s bad runway and landing aids; the presence of market close to the airport which attracts birds.
Sirika lamented that the presence of birds which cause constant bird strikes and the wrong placement of the state radio mast directly facing the run way pose security and safety challenges to the airport.
Sirika further added that these challenges pose great security threats to the lives of passengers and airport users, stating that the airport has to be shut down to address them. .
According to the minister, the cooperation of Enugu State governor will be needed to reinforce the removal of the market and radio masts situated right inside the runway. .
Sirika also disclosed that the rehabilitation of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, (MMIA), Lagos will require about 14 billion Naira.
“The Lagos airport was built to handle N200,000 people but today Lagos airport is handling eight million people. So it must collapse. Julius Berger will help give it the new look it requires.
“The airport generates most of the income, so it is only right we give it facelift it requires,” Sirika added.
He assured that the new Lagos airport terminal will be completed by the end of this year, so some of the operations at the old terminal can be moved to the new airport.
He disclosed that it is it only after the new terminal is completed that the old one can be brought down while rehabilitation will begin.
He disclosed that out of 157 aviation projects the administration set out to achieve, it has completed about 130 of such projects.
He insisted that the federal government is judiciously following the aviation roadmap, stressing that the national carrier project and plans for the development of aerotropolis are on course.
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