Task force Team Acquaints Minister of Inadequacies at MMIA 2ND Terminal
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The Chinese built Murtala Muhammed International Airport 2nd Terminal, LOS, commissioned by former, President Muhammadu Buhari, April 2022
Terminal two of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA2, Ikeja, Lagos, popularly known as the Chinese terminal, has been reconfirmed to be deficient in its structure, and in some other equipment though installed with the view to achieve seamless operations but has also been found inadequate, including the faulty entrance and exit to the terminal.
These apart from the inadequate apron among others, were the findings of the Task Force instituted, to contrive ways and means the relocation order to the Chinese-built terminal handed to the airlines should be executed with little or no hiccups to the operations of the airlines concerned.
Among the terms of reference Olorogun Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development handed the Task force when inaugurated to ensure hassles free transition from the old MMIA terminal building, to the second international terminal and to offer advice to the government on the best methodology for making the new terminal more functional and conducive for safe flight operations, and to facilitate necessary improvement that the Task force might found imperative to make the facility be at par with stipulated standards by the Airport Council International, ACI.
Also, the Chairman of the force, Engineer Hassan Musa, a retired Permanent Secretary from the then Aviation ministry, while handing the report to the minister said that “the fire incident which necessitated the sudden movement of all airlines to Terminal 2, compounded the challenges that have been existing (in the Chines built terminal) since operations in April 2022”.
Keyamo, while receiving the report, thanked the members of the Taskforce for accepting to serve the Nation selflessly. He said the Lagos airport account for 60% of entry point and exit into Nigeria. He stated that of all the 5 international airports in Nigeria, the old Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport is in a state of disrepair and he is committed to ensuring the overhaul of the terminal before the end of his administration.
He recalled the fire incident of the 6th of September 2023, which necessitated the hasty relocation of all airlines from the old terminal and generated public outcry as unfortunate, while assuring that adequate measures will be put in place to avert future occurrences of such incidents.
Development of Airport Master Plan Imperative
While the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo assured the Taskforce of implementation of the recommendation as soon as possible, he directed that a meeting be held with the contractors handling the airport on issues of substandard equipment and the possibility of opening up other entry points into the airport including the expansion of their work schedule which is part of the PPP agreement.
On the issue of a complete comprehensive plan for the airports, he said, having a Master plan will eradicate wastage and encourage concessioners to make the airports a hub indeed. He noted that the Master plan will take into consideration the existing structures while renovation on the old terminal will not be disrupted.
However, if the truth must be told, it is very sad to note that the gross neglect of the MASTER PLAN for the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, has brought so much rancor among operators, and between stakeholders and those holding forth for the government on behalf of the taxpayers. Not to mention the humongous waste of public funds on the side of the government and waste to the operator’s investment.
Members of the Taskforce are;
Engr. Hassan Musa, Permanent Secretary (Rtd.), and a former Director of Air Transport Management, Federal Ministry of Aviation; Team Leader.
Mr. Adebayo Oladipo, General Manager, Aerodrome, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, member
Mr. Collins Mukoro, S.A. to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, member.
Mrs. Uyoyou Edhekpo, S.A. to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, member, and;
Mr. Henry Agbebire, S.A. to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, member.
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It became apparent that the immediate past administration had failed to follow the master plan on the airport development program and varying inadequate infrastructural defects of non provision of functional entrances and exits etc in to the Chinese terminal. In view of the committees recommendations by their terms of reference. The minister has to initiate forensic investigations into the widespread inadequacies by the contractor assigned to construct the terminal in view of the committee’s findings and recommendations. There must be sanctions against misadventures by the contractor who chooses to waste the taxpayer money.