Osinbajo pays surprise visit to Lagos airport, assures of FG’s intervention
*Nigeria has $200b aviation infrastructure deficit
Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo said the Federal Government would commit funds into resuscitation of decrepit infrastructure at the major airports across the country, particularly the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
The Acting President made the disclosure when he paid an unscheduled inspection of facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos today. He was accompanied by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
He was conducted round the passenger sterile area, baggage reclaim area to see the carousels; some of which are no longer functioning and office of Nigerian Immigration Service (NCS) area for issuance of visas on arrival in the country.
On inspection of the carousel, Osinbajo shook his head in utter disappointment with some of the broken down facilities less than three years after they were reportedly fixed.
His first point of inspection was at the passengers check in area before he proceeded to the passenger sterile area. He asked that the travellator be switched on but later discovered that they were not serviceable.
He asked what it would cost to fix them and Ephraim Nwodo, an engineer with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it would cost N20 million to fix. Thereafter, Osinbajo was seen speaking in hushed tone with Sirika in what looks like the problem would immediately be fixed.
From there, he went straight to the baggage reclaim area where he inspected the conveyor belts, otherwise known as the carousel and particularly expressed surprise at the failing facility.
Speaking to reporters, the Vice-President said the Federal Government a lot on the ease of doing business, stressing that the essence is to make the environment conducive for businesses, not only on air transportation but for anybody that wants to come to Nigeria to do business.
He further stated that the Federal Government has taken keen interest in airport facilities and to ensure that they are working and things are being done properly.
His words, “We have looked around and I have seen a few of the equipment. There are many things that need to be done and corrected. We have to work on them.”
Speaking after, Sirika said he agreed with everything Osinbajo said on airport infrastructure, adding, “That is why we are here.”
Industry experts say a major setback in the Nigerian aviation industry today is the infrastructure gap.
Over the years, the infrastructure at the nation’s airports, were not maintained. In fact, the facilities were left without regular maintenance and as such as most of them are now in dilapidated state.
The airports lack hitech equipment, good air conditioning system. In some airports, the runways either lacked lighting or they were poorly marked.
The country’s current infrastructure deficit is estimated to be in excess of $200 billion, Chief Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, operator of the ultra-modern Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA2), Capt. Jari Williams, said recently.
Airport facilities in the country are in a serious state of degradation, further highlighting how unprepared the country is.
Most of these airport terminals are over 35 years old, with experts saying the facilities have become a metaphor for the decay of infrastructure in the country.
Analysts unanimously agreed that this critical sector of the economy must be handled with deft insight because the industry is a contributor to the growth of the economy.
