…Says Nigeria Moving Towards Achieving Global Aviation Standards
By Christel Odili
President Muhamadu Buhari has commissioned the new international terminal building of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. Buhari commissioned the terminal on Thursday with dignitaries like the Minister of Aviation (State) in attendance.
Buhari during the commissioning noted that, with his policy on aviation infrastructure, Nigeria is moving towards achieving and meeting global standards in facilitation, passenger processing and service delivery in tandem with international best practices.
According to him, the terminal is “yet another significant milestone for international air travelers in an out of the Federal Capital Territory.”
He said: “with the commissioning of this terminal Nigeria is moving closer to achieving and meeting global standards in the facilitation, passenger processing, and service delivery in line with international best practices.”
This Administration, in his words, recognizes aviation as a catalyst for economic growth and as such will continue to encourage and support the actualization of projects that will place Nigerian Airports amongst the best in the world.
He added: “This event today, reflects Government’s deliberate policy to sustain the development of Nigeria’s infrastructure. We are gradually closing the infrastructural deficit bedeviling our country.”
“You will recall that on the 25th October, 2018, I commissioned Port Harcourt International Airport Terminal. During the event, the Honourable Minister of State (Aviation) stated that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal, Abuja would be completed and ready for commissioning before the end of the year. Today, that promise has been kept. I wish to commend the Honourable Minister and his team for a job well done”.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Terminal is the first airport terminal to be connected to rail transport system in the Country and indeed in the region. This has provided passengers and other airport users with a choice in the mode of transport to and from the city centre. I recall taking a ride from the City Metro station to the Airport on the day the rail line was commissioned.”
President Buhari Further assured that his administration remains committed to developing Nigeria into Regional air transportation hub and thereby assuming its leadership in the aviation sub sector in Africa.
He commended the efforts of the Federal Ministry of Transportation (Aviation), the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the China Exim Bank for their financial support and the various roles they played leading to the successful completion of this project. Let me also commend the contractor Messrs CCECC for delivering this project on time.