Owners of abandoned aeroplanes that are strewn over key sectors of Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) have been given a 90-day deadline by the federal government to remove them.
Festus Keyamo, the minister of aviation and aerospace development, issued the instruction on Thursday while giving a tour of airport infrastructure.
Keyamo claimed that the abandoned aircraft posed a threat to the safety of everyone using the airport.
He emphasised that the three months’ notice would give the Lagos airport’s apron enough room to accept planes that were still in service, giving the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) time to do so.
In all of Nigeria’s main airports, passengers often see a familiar image.
This outdated aircraft from defunct airlines shares the airspace with operational aircraft and deteriorates due to weather, the minister said.
Keyamo also provided clarification regarding his choice to halt concession projects and Nigeria Air.
He emphasised that it was only a partial cancellation done to ensure due process and transparency.
The project has been put on hold, at least temporarily, according to the minister, who said he will tell President Bola Tinubu about the two projects before taking a decision.
We haven’t terminated any projects, he declared. Only a few of the issues that users raised have been suspended.
“We have a big responsibility to Nigerians’ sensibilities. Nigerians must be aware of the procedures used to distribute their patrimony.
“Nigerians must be aware of the manner in which you distribute their nation’s resources to individuals under the name of concession.
I’d like to make it clear that Nigeria Air should be suspended.
Keyamo claimed that the regulatory body and service providers’ adherence to aviation laws and regulations accounted for 90% of his appointment as minister. (NAN)
