Sirika Unveils N2.2B Expanded 1st Phase Terminal At Lagos Airport

Barely eight days to the end of his tenure, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Senator Hadi Sirika has commissioned a N2.2 billion expansion of the first phase of the General Aviation Terminal (GAT), Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.

The expansion increased the passenger processing capacity of the terminal from 254 to 1,024.

The contract for the expansion of the first phase which was done by Messrs Glovesly Pro-Project Limited now has passenger processing capacity of 1,024, from 256, which was the capacity prior to the expansion.

It also has a central conditioning unit, fire alarm and sprinklers, as well as Aviation Mini Clinic.

Other features of the expanded facility includes: complements of 3 Standard Departure Halls (2 downstairs, and 1 upstairs), 3 VIP Lounges (1 downstairs and 2 upstairs), 2 Protocol Lounge(1 downstairs and 1 upstairs), 3 Lifts (departure, VIP, and Protocol), 4 Toilets, 5 Office spaces, 5 staircases, amongst others.

Recall that prior to the expansion, the expanded first phase had a Departure Hall, 1 VIP Lounge, 1Protocol Lounge, and 20 toilets.

Speaking during the commissioning, Sirika said that it was his pleasure to be a part of this epoch-making event of the commissioning of the Phase 1 of the expansion project of the GAT, Lagos.

He explained that the project was conceived to address the decades-long limited capacity challenge of the terminal in view of the geometric increase in population of Nigeria, which according to him resulted in increase in passenger volume, has overwhelmed available facilities at this terminal.

The outgoing Minister further explained that as part of efforts to address this challenge, the Federal Government at some point developed the Zulu terminal to complement the existing old terminal, but that the capacity limitation situation still persisted.

“Oftentimes, particularly at peak periods, you will observe that facilities in this terminal are usually overstretched because the volume of passengers using the facilities far outweighs the capacity available.

“We therefore evaluated the situation, and decided to expand the terminal, as a short term measure to address the situation. It is our intention to build a new and much bigger domestic terminal in the nearest future.

“The facility we are commissioning today is a product of that thought, and it is only the first phase of the project. As soon as we put this to use, we hope that the incoming administration will continue with the construction of the second phase,” he said.

Sirika added that in due course, Nigerians will see that this facility contains brand new protocol lounges, airline office spaces, VIP lounges, with the complements of conveniences that will enhance safety, security and comfort of passengers.

The project, he informed, started early last year and that he is glad that the first phase was completed in record time and is being commissioned today.

He commended the outgoing President Muhammadu Buhari led administration for approving and providing necessary resources for this project.

He also express   gratitude to the contractor in charge of the project, Messrs Glovesly Pro-Project Limited, for exhibiting  high level of responsibility and professionalism and Let me also use this opportunity to  the team of engineers in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), who according to him laboured tirelessly to ensure the delivery of this project.

In his words, “I am very confident that the provision of this facility will enhance passenger facilitation at this terminal and will also improve the revenue generation of FAAN.

Similarly today,  Sirika also  commissioned the Cargo Terminal at the Murtala Muhammed  International Airport. ,Lagos.

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