Lagos State Governor,Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday played host to the management team of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) ahead of the next Saturday’s re-opening of airspace for international flights.
Discussions at the meeting focused partly on actionable steps being put in place at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) by the Federal and State governments to give travellers comfort and better experience when the facility is opened for air traffic.
Sanwo-Olu said officials of the State Government have been working round the clock with the Federal Government to initiate safety protocols in place at the airport and drive compliance. The effort, he said, will be followed by a joint assessment of the airport facility with FAAN and other agencies.
The Governor used the occasion to explain the development activities embarked on by the State Government to ensure travellers have better experience while passing through the airport, disclosing that the State had already started the construction of a world-class bus terminal close to the airport.
The bus terminal, the Governor said, will serve as holding station for international passengers who will not be driving into the airport. He said the bus station would be complemented with rail infrastructure to shuttle air passengers from the metropolis departure terminals.
He said: “An airport is a gateway that defines the nation, because it is the first facility to be seen by international travellers. The Murtala Mohammed International Airport is an important asset, not only to the Federal Government but also to Lagos State. The strategic use of this airport should necessitate that need for us to fully harness the asset and make it a bubbling destination for tourists and businessmen coming into the country.
READ ALSO: Sudanese Court Begins Trial Of Ousted Autocrat, Al- Bashir
“As a State Government, we are taking complementary efforts to ensure the airport promotes business and is safe for travellers. We have started the construction of a massive bus terminal along the airport road, which will be complemented with a rail project. The rail project is part of the Red Line Rail project which will start from Ebute Metta and pass through Oshodi. The right-of-way of this project has been determined and we are hoping the project will start before the end of the year.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu also made a strong case for the remodelling of the Airport noting that facilities installed in the airport at inception were due for modernisation and upgrading.
The Governor urged them to fully harness the asset and functionality of the airport and make it a must-see destination for tourists and businessmen coming into the country.
He said: “Travellers across the world are looking for destinations where things they enjoy in their comfort zones are provided. When we provide services and infrastructure that will drive traffic to our airport, not only will it triple the revenue generated for the Government, it will also improve the status of the airport within the continent.”
The FAAN team, led by its Managing Director, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, who thanked the Governor for the airport construction from Oshodi pleaded with the Governor to intervene in ensuring smooth safety compliance and provision services as the airport prepared to re-open for commercial activities.
Some of the FAAN requests included provision of BRT buses to commute passengers from car park to departure and arrival halls, expansion of strategic airport roads, and halting of encroachment on the airport land around Ajao Estate and Shasha, among other.
