Airports Users Okay Remodelling Project …Urge Speedy Completion

Some airport users in Abuja on Wednesday advised the Federal Government not to relent in its efforts to ensure speedy completion of the remodelling work on the country’s airports.

They spoke with our correspondent at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

A pastor, Mr Jason Nworah, commended the Minister of Aviation, Ms Stella Oduah, and the Federal Government for undertaking to make the airports world-class.

He said the most important thing was for the government to fulfill all its promises to Nigerians in the aviation sector.

“The minister is doing well in this sector, but she needs to improve on her regulation process to get airlines to be responsible for luggage missing in transit.

“She ought to conduct intensive research to ascertain the circumstances leading to the collapse of the Nigerian Airways to avoid future occurrence,’’ he said.

Gov. Jonah Jang of Plateau also expressed appreciation to the minister for the rehabilitation work on the airports, especially the Yakubu Gowon International Airport in Jos.

“A very fantastic job is going on there, I appreciate what the minister is doing there right now and I’ve seen what she’s doing in other airports in the country too; I rate her as the best minister of aviation in recent time.

“We have finished the design of the protocol lodge of the Jos airport, and we are looking forward to holding discussions with the minister to see if we can expand the runway so that bigger aircraft can use it.

“We are also discussing with the minister of agriculture to see how we can make Jos Airport an export zone for agricultural produce; you can see that we are working in synergy with the Ministry of Aviation,’’ Jang said.

A foreigner, Ms Ann Doglas, who is on a visit to Nigeria, said the country’s aviation industry would become one of the best in the world if the government could complete the renovation of the domestic airports and ensure that infrastructure and equipment functions well.

“With the new development, especially the renovation of the airports, I believe foreigners will be attracted to do business with the Nigerian aviation sector.

“It’s obvious that the Nigerian government is putting in efforts to improve the standard of the aviation sector in line with international standard, but there is also the need to improve on the services rendered to passengers.

“More attention needs to be paid to the runways for them to function well for night landing,’’ Doglas said.

A passenger Mrs Ngosi Okoh,travelling to Enugu, said she could not believe the airports could be transformed to a modern one within such a short period.

“I just pray that this good job will not stop after the speech made by President Goodluck Jonathan.

“I am happy that good things are coming to us, but passengers are still being cheated by the airline operators who steal their properties.’’