Senator Smart Adeyemi has lamented the abandonment of the multi billion Naira Lagos new terminal project.
The new Lagos terminal fell under the gigantic project started by the former Mrs Stella Adaeze Oduah through a $500 million loan from China.
During a visit to the new Lagos airport terminal which is almost at 90 per cent completion, Adeyemi with his counterpart at the House, Mr Nnaji Nnlom, led by the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Rabiu Yadudu wondered why such a project had not been put to use for over a year even when it was almost completed.
“For me, I think the edifice is 99 per cent completed. It’s something that should be commended. It is also depressing that it seems to have been abandoned. It is not explicable for a project like this not to have been put to use since last year that it was nearly completed.”
According to Adeyemi, there was the need for FAAN and the federal government to make sure that all obstacles disrupting the takeoff of the terminal building are taken off so that Nigerians can have the benefit of the multi-billion naira that had been expended here.
“I do not think that anyone will be able to defend this. The project has been completed. This must not be allowed to be abandoned. We have had projects of similar types in this country that have been abandoned. If care is not taken, we will see that some of the premises here are becoming bushy, but that is not to say the airport is not well-kept, but the fact that this terminal is not put to use.
“We want to call on the federal government to give us all the assurances that are necessary. Looking at the challenges confronting the aviation industry today, in terms of Covid-19, which makes it difficult for the sector to meet its needs, there is need for the federal government to give the assistance that is necessary.”
The senator who confirmed that the federal government was still owing the Chinese for the $500 million loan, added that since the project itself was awarded by the federal government, that the government should therefore come to the aid of FAAN to ensure the new terminal is completed and put into use.
“We don’t want to come back here the next time and still see this building in this shape. It will be painful for us. Even though, we are on recess now, we will continue to mount the pressure that is needed to ensure that the federal government gives the assistance that is needed.
What is needed to take over this building, I don’t think it’s beyond what the federal government should pay. FAAN should be able to pay if not for depression confronting the industry. Globally, there is depression, fewer people are flying, some airlines have closed shop. So, the IGR has fallen from what it used to be.
So it will be difficult for FAAN to meet the payment. It should be the federal government that will pay so that Nigerians can start to enjoy the facility.”
Adeyemi who described the Lagos terminal as a facility that will further improve the image of Nigeria when completed, said what a visitor coming into the country through the Lagos airport will first see is the terminal building which will create an impression of the nation to them.
“So, we will continue to mount pressure on the government to do the needful. If possible, we will put it in writing so that the ministry of finance can be aware that we came here and what we have seen demands that the attention of the federal government to come to the aid of FAAN so that this place can be opened.”
In his own contribution, the chairman, House Committee on aviation, Mr Nnaji Nnolim declared how the non usage of the terminal was affecting the old terminal.
According to Nnolim: “To lay credence to what my colleague has just said, I think the federal government and FAAN should do something about this terminal so that it will improve the image of the country, create customer comfort. It is also important that the federal government does something about the Chinese loan so that this can facilitate the opening of the terminal. Thereis need for this terminal to be opened so that you can use it to service the outstanding.
“Whether the government is supporting in paying back the loan, it is still the responsibility of FAAN to pay back the government the money. So, it is important for this place to be put to be open so that it can be put to use.”
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