FG Plans To Upgrade Major Airports

The Federal Government Friday raised hope of air safety as its plans towards making four major airports Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, Kano in the country modest in Africa.

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba who stated this shortly after inspecting some projects of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, expressed satisfaction that the four primary sites for the Total Radar Coverage of Nigeria (TRCON) would be completed before the December 31 deadline, while Maiduguri among the secondary site will be completed next year, involving Obubra, Ilorin and others for next year.

Mr. Omotoba who has been on inspections of the Radar Installations in the past two days noted that air travelers in these region have no cause to fear any more following the completion of the Aero nautical Information Services (AIS).

He noted that from Maiduguri, Air traffic controllers would be seeing aircraft coming from Republic of Chad, Cameroon, Republic of Niger, Kano, Jos and Yola, stating that it is a very good development in terms of air safety.

According to him, I am very excited that the Radar of Port Harcourt airport is practically completed. “At the radar head, all the aircraft on air could be seen. Port Harcourt, Owerri, Calabar, Warri were seen in the air through the aid of the radar.

He noted that the contractor is laying a fabre cable from radar head to the control tower and that in a week’s time, the project will be ready whereby they will be controlling all the projectd.

The minister also disclosed that the federal Government has concluded plans to concession Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa  next year.

He further explained that when concessioned, it would bundle other airports close to Port Harcourt such as, Imo and Enugu airports, excepts the state governments want to manage these airports.

According to him, we have received reports from the consultant appointed last June to review Port Harcourt airports. Soon, the advertisement for the expression of interest for the concession would be made.

We are going to look for a very competent conces-sionier that has the money to harvest to ensure that the airport is among the world class airport.

“I am very excited for the nation, that a project we have not been able to achieve in the past 30 yeas, it has been achieved under the leadership of President Musa Yar’Adua”.

He commended the Rivers State government for its role in ensuring that the face off between the federal government and host communities of Port Harcourt Airport over compensation was settled amicably.