Monday 10 September 2012

FG to build five new airport terminals with N106b‎illion



Defends lifting of ban on Dana Air

THE Federal Government has unfolded plans to construct five new airport terminals in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Kano at the cost of N106 billion.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), the umbrella body for airlines in Nigeria, Dr. Steve Mahonwu, has lauded President Goodluck Jonathan and the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah-Ogiewonyi, for lifting the suspension on Dana Air.



The aviation minister, who disclosed the plan for new terminals while briefing the press, said the projects would commence within the next three months and are expected to be completed within 24 months. According to her, the projects are to be executed with a concessionary loan of 22 years with five years moratorium at an interest rate of two per cent.

She explained that the projects were approved at the last Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting and that the loan was granted by Chinese Nexim Bank. The projects would be executed by a Chinese firm.

Oduah-Ogiemwonyi said: “As we travel round the world, we see and admire international airports in other countries and wish that our nation could boast of just one that can truly go by the name international airport. Today, following the approval of FEC, we have concluded arrangements to commence construction of not just one, but five brand new world-class international airports.

“The process is when the Chinese Nexim or any country’s Nexim gives a loan, that country’s contractor will have to do the execution. That is the process we follow. They will have to decide on who will do the awarding of the project, so ours is for BPP to check if it’s in line with our regulation to ensure that the loan is in order. Once BPP gives no objection, then we are free.”

Describing the initiative as part of moves to ensure Nigerians and travellers enjoy good travelling experience, the minister stated that the construction of the new airports will further contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.

While reacting to insinuation in some quarters that the government was pressured into lifting the suspension of Dana Airline, which was suspended after the unfortunate and tragic crash of June 3, she stated: “Government was not under any pressure to restore the airline’s operating licence and we want to assure Nigerians and the travelling public that safety remains our priority.”

She said the suspension was lifted “based on our satisfaction, after carrying out a technical audit of the operator, that the airline is airworthy. While we continue to share in the pain and loss of the families of those who lost their loved ones in the crash, we want to stress that we took this decision with all sense of responsibility.”

On his part, AON’s Chief, Mahonwu, said: “Dana Air has about 540 human capital and most of them are Nigerians who invariably have been thrown into the labour market since the suspension of the airline from commercial operations early in June, 2012.”

Mahonwu spoke as the management and staff of Dana Air expressed their appreciation to the Federal Government for lifting the suspension of the airline’s operations.

Chief Executive of the airline, Jacky Hathiramani, said: “We also wish to thank all Nigerians and our esteemed guests for your prayers since the tragic accident of Sunday, June 3, 2012. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with the families that lost loved ones; we remain committed to assisting them in every way possible and also fulfilling our obligations to them fully, as stipulated by the law.”

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