The Minister of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Musa Bello has earmarked about 12, 000 hectares of land to the Ministry of Aviation to boost the sector.
The development came following the remarkable achievement in the sector under the leadership of the Minster of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.
Under his leadership, the Aviation sector has experienced a huge growth with the number of airlines, passengers traffic and cargo movement as well as boosting the economy.
Malam Bello said that helping the aviation industry in Nigeria has become necessary looking at the growth of the sector during the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari despite COVID-19 challenges.
“We earmarked this land to you and your agencies for the expansion of Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Runways the Nigerian national petroleum in line with the Abuja Master Plans to accommodate the entire aviation family to enable you to meet the international standards of air transport in Nigeria.
“Abuja is now more than an administrative city, it has being experiencing a tremendous success in areas of trade, tourism and air transportation and with this land allocated to your ministry I believe it will promote the growth of aviation industry in Nigeria.
“I also apluad your strategic idea in promoting the aviation industry, by achieving this legacy project that will benefit the entire country and the world at large because Abuja has now become the hub of Africa and business destination where people around the world visit,” Mallam Bello said.
The FCT minister also advised Senator Sirika to work hand in hand with his ministry and under the leadership of Federal Capital Development Authority for smooth conduct of the project.
Speaking on his part the Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika thanked the FCT Minister for his effort to allocate the land to the aviation industry just to ensure that there was a boost in air transportation in Abuja and Nigeria.
“I want to assure you that we are not going to abuse this wonderful opportunity and kindness you gave to my ministry and I will make sure that this land will be use appropriately to improve employments status in the city and also to boost tourism and commerce.
“I also want to assure you that by God grace before we exit office in 2023 we want to achieve some of these projects set aside by my ministry which is the construction of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport second Runway,” the Aviation Minister stated.
If successfully achieved, the projects would promote the civil aviation industry in areas of tourism, commerce and create employments in the country.
Air transport in Nigeria promotes economic growth and development, it also lfacilitates integration into the global economy and provides vital connectivity on a national, regional, and international scale.
It helps generate trade, promote tourism, and create employment opportunities.
Confidence Okwuchi