Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has responded to concerns raised over the planned reconstruction of Terminal One at Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos. He advised critics to research the global costs of building modern airports before questioning the rationale behind the project.
In a post shared via his verified X handle, Keyamo disclosed that the Federal Executive Council approved the overhaul after the Bureau of Public Procurement concluded a detailed assessment.
Keyamo said
“I encourage our compatriots to simply Google the cost of most modern airports built around the world in the last few years including those in Africa like Angola You will agree with me that the Bureau of Public Procurement did a fantastic job for the nation”
Terminal One Is Overdue For Modernisation
Keyamo described the current state of Terminal One as totally decrepit having been commissioned in 1979 during the Obasanjo-led military administration. He said the terminal has long outlived its design capacity and is plagued by wear and persistent overcrowding.
We have been patching the building for years but it is now totally decrepit What we are embarking on is a complete strip-down and rebuild to meet modern international standards
Expansion Plans For Terminal Two Also Underway
Alongside the rebuild of Terminal One Keyamo announced plans to upgrade Terminal Two. This includes a larger aircraft apron construction of independent ring roads for arriving and departing passengers and a new connecting bridge to fix design flaws at the upper departure level.
No Foreign Loans Required
He reassured the public that the redevelopment is not a loan project but will be funded from the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund which is part of the outcomes from the fuel subsidy removal.
This is not a loan project It will be funded through the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Development Fund one of the direct gains from subsidy removal
Transparency Measures In Place
To ensure accountability Keyamo said the Ministry will organise facility tours for journalists civil society organisations and lawmakers to observe the project’s implementation.
The Minister further noted that while the Lagos terminal urgently needs an upgrade due to high passenger traffic newly constructed terminals in Abuja Port Harcourt and Kano remain underutilised operating at below 30 percent of their intended capacity.
