The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo ,alongside the Managing Director and Chief Executive of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, have commisioned the new E- gate, installed by FAAN, in order to improve passenger comfort and experience at the departure Wing of the Murtala Muhammad International Airport in Lagos.
In addition, four new CNG-powered buses were commissioned for passenger use on 20th December , 2024.The buses are designed to cater for everyone including persons with special needs.
The initiative is part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the United Bank of Africa (UBA), aimed at enhancing passenger experience and keeping abreast with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration’s renewed hope agenda.It also demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and meeting global climate targets.
Keyamo complimented FAAN for its dedication to delivering exceptional services to air passengers .
He appreciated the synergy that exists between FAAN , sister agencies and stakeholders.
“This is part of a general plan by FAAN endorsed by the Ministry, to continue to remodel all of them in partnership with private entities within our limited resources to make them more user-friendly. What we are doing here today is the commissioning of the remodelled E-Wing departure hall of Murtala Muhammed International Airport. You can see what they have done here , our concessionaires have done tremendously well, in partnership with UBA, we want to thank them so much, this is the outcome of the partnership, the new floor, a well lit departure hall, the adverts everywhere. We are going to other wings of the airport, we are going to work on Wing-D.”he said.
“All thanks to the very hard work put in by FAAN. I must give credit to other agencies, they have stepped up their games.We are working closely with the National Security Adviser (NSA) to ensure that the reforms we’ve initiated continue smoothly. We’ve updated the NSA on the measures we’ve taken and have requested his support in ensuring that all agencies cooperate in the best interest of passengers and the nation’s image.”
Oliver Alawuba, Group Managing Director, UBA stated that the Bank is committed to partnering with FAAN in order to upgrade airports infrastructure.
“I think it’s a great day for us, we have been in this partnership for 22 years working with FAAN and improving the infrastructure. This is just an example of what Public Private Partnership can do. You have seen that Minister is committed to improving the infrastructure and Government cannot do it alone, so the private sector has to come in and UBA clearly, is providing that support as needed at this time. This is just the first phase, we are also going to remodel the D. Departure.”
During the commissioning, Olubunmi Kuku, assured stakeholders that one of FAAN’s priorities is improving facilities and services at airports.
She disclosed that according to the Authority’s plan, other facilities will be acquired for accessibility and passengers comfort .
“I do want to say that our passenger traffic remain strong. But there may be some economic realities that are affecting global nations but within Nigeria, we are expanding our facilities and planning for the future hence the use of terminal two. We are using the terminal D right now ,we are moving passenger in here to decongest and look at the arrival time and slot to make effective use of the capacity use of the terminal as well as the timing of flights arriving and landing.”she said.
