KUNLE OLUTAYO
All is set for President Muhammadu to commission the completed cargo terminal project at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has concluded investigation into the second Abuja airport cargo terminal project abandoned by contractors after receiving 75 per cent advance payment.
Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation, made these disclosures while responding to questions raised by the House Committee on Aviation when he appeared before the committee for defence of the 2023 budget proposal.
Sirika said: “There are two cargo projects in Abuja. One has been completed and will be commissioned by Mr President soon.
“The second one, which contract was awarded in 2012, the contractors were advanced money up to about 75 per cent.
“These contracts were abandoned by the contractors. Mr. President directed that they be investigated, prosecuted and the monies recovered but because we don’t have prosecuting powers, we reported to EFCC.
“Now in the last three and half years, they confirmed to me that they have finished the investigation.
“This is worrisome. We will inform the House when we see EFCC and they brief us, formally.”
He informed that Nigeria National Air Carrier will take-off before the end of 2023 with boing 737 for domestic operations while international operations would be introduced later.
“The Aviation Ministry has recorded some significant achievements in virtually all areas of the sector within the life of this administration, led by President Muhamadu Buhari.
“We have provided the safety and security needed in the aviation sector, which has led to the certification for the first time ever in the history of the country and of the Murtala Mohammed and Nnmadi Azikiwe International airports.
“Today, Nigeria is the 7th highest country recovering from the global COVID-19 pandemic.
“Some airlines also received interventions to be saved from total collapse. We also created an enabling environment, which provided airlines in the country to attain certificiation and international air transport association operational safety audit. Our airports are wearing new and befitting looks.
“It is a milestone being the first ever airports to be certified, govermenemnt in, governemnt out.
“This testimony as to our concern to our focus on safety have recorded the highest level of safety and unprecedented growth, making aviation the fastest growing sector of the Nigerian economy,” Sirika said.
He added that the cost of aircraft maintenance, though worrisome, has been managed during the present administration, saying there are more bilateral and multilateral air services agreements that have been signed for the benefit of Nigerians who travel by air.
In his remarks, Nnolim Nnaji, Chairman of the Committee expressed concern over the omission of a critical security and safety agency of the Ministry, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, (NAMA) from the 2023 from the federal government of Nigeria budget.
“This Committee and its Senate counterpart is committed to ensuring that the abnormality is corrected.
“However, as the Minister superintending the Ministry, we request that you make more clarification.”
