The removal of heads of agencies will continue until May 29 — Sirika

Hadi Sirika the minister of aviation has said the removal of heads of aviation agencies is an on-going process before the Buhari administration wraps up on May 29, 2023.

Sirika said the exercise will continue in the coming days, saying there is nothing unusual as there is a set time to start a programme and another time to conclude it.

He said recent reshuffling in the aviation sector had the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari as part of the road map to consolidate the growth and development of the industry.

The federal government through Hadi Sirika sacked Rabin Yadudu and appointed Kabir Yusuf Mohammed, as new managing director for the Federal Airports of Nigeria (FAAN).

On Monday, Sirika appointed Tayib Adetunji Odunowo, Director of Aerodrome qnd Airspace Standards at Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), as the new managing director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA). Odunowo replaces Matthew Pwajok, who had been in acting capacity for more than one year.

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Speaking during the commissioning of the expansion of the first phase of the General Aviation Terminal ( GAT) Terminal Zulu in Lagos, Sirika said the new facility will now allow airlines increase the number of passengers processed at the facility from 254 to 1,024.

The minister said the project was conceived to address the decades-long limited capacity challenge of the terminal.

He stated : “You will agree with me that the geometric increase in population of Nigeria, which resulted in increase in passenger volume has overwhelmed available facilities at this terminal and as part of efforts to address this challenge, the Federal Government at some point developed the Zulu terminal to complement the existing old terminal, but the capacity limitation situation still persisted.

“Oftentimes, particularly at peak periods, you will observe that facilities in this terminal are usually overstretched because the volume of passengers using the facilities far outweighs the capacity available.

“We therefore evaluated the situation, and decided to expand the terminal, as a short term measure to address the situation. It is our intention to build a new and much bigger domestic terminal in the nearest future.”

He explained that the facility being commissioned is a product of that thought, and it is only the first phase of the project, adding that as soon as they put this to use, he hopes that the incoming administration will continue with the construction of the second phase.

“As you will be seeing in due course, this facility contains brand new protocol lounges, airline office spaces, VIP lounges, with the complements of conveniences that will enhance safety, security and comfort of our esteemed passengers.

“The project started early last year, and I am glad that the first phase was completed in record time, and is being commissioned today. I am very confident that the provision of this facility will enhance passenger facilitation at this terminal, and will also improve the revenue generation of FAAN.”