Dan Majen Kano and Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has urged the authorities of aviation ministry to adopt maintenance culture if they were ready to sustain transformations being put in place at the airports across the country.
Lamido was full of praises for the Aviation Minister, Princess Stella Odua, after commissioning the remodeled Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport
Sanusi Lamido tasked the Minister of Aviation to ensure that all the rehabilitation works going on across the country’s airports are maintained and refurbished as at when due.
The CBN boss further noted that if the level of progress made in the aviation industry is sustained, the country’s airports will in no distant time, assume international standards.
“I am greatly honoured to be part of this event today because this is something we are all passionate about. At the Emir’s Palace, he reminded us that when the first air plane landed in Nigeria; and in this city of Kano, his father was the only one that agreed to enter it.
“I am pleased to commission this project today, because my great grand-father commissioned the airport, my grand-father commissioned the International Terminal, and I am commissioning this one today, so please, like I said, we should imbibe maintenance culture, not only in MAKIA but in all the airports across the country,” he stated.
Lamido who was also the Special Guest of Honour at the occasion said the CBN will continue to partner with the Aviation Ministry to ensure that sanity and decency returns in Nigeria’s airports.
“There is no way one can visit all the airports and say that things are not working. With the level of commitment and diligence we have seen in the Aviation sector, this country would have been better if other ministries and parastatals are performing as such,” he stated.
He faulted arguments that the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah marginalized MAKIA, pointing out that, “if the Ministry doesn’t want international airlines to come to Kano, why building International Terminal; why approving the operation of foreign airlines such as the Turkish and the Emirate in Kano airport.”
He also hoped that in no distant time the Minister will approve the operation of Sky and Ethiopian airlines.
Lamido also praised the Minister of Aviation for her plans to build a Cargo Terminal in MAKIA, which he said will facilitate the exportation of perishable goods and agricultural products.
Governor Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, at the Government House, promised that his administration will continue to support the Ministry of Aviation so as to ensure that MAKIA regain its lost glory.
He also noted that his government recently donated a Baggage Scanning Machine worth about N24 million.
Kwankwaso, however, urged the Minister of Aviation to address urgent issues begging for attention at MAKIA to include the Conveyor Belt which is of low capacity, facilitate the functioning of the new Control Tower which equipment were brought since 2007 and abandoned, the Run-way 05 which is not in use should also be rehabilitated.
The Emir of Kano, in his Palace, expressed happiness over the face-lift in MAKIA and urged the Aviation Minister and indeed, the Federal Government to do even more so as to ensure more patronage of airlines and boosted economic activities at the airport.
The Minister, Princess Oduah said she was pleased that at last, MAKIA is restored to its old glory, pointing out that recent developments seen in the airports across the country were part of the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.
The chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzodinma, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Mr. Ossi George Afamefuna, and the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George E. Uriesi were among those who accompanied the Minister to Kano.