By Dickson Omobola Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has disclosed that the newly renovated Hajj Terminal at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, can process between 8,500 and 10,000 passengers during the Hajj season. Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, said the terminal had become dilapidated over the years and no longer offered a pleasant experience for pilgrims. She spoke, Wednesday, during an inspection of the facility, where the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, said the renovation was aimed at ensuring that Nigerian pilgrims enjoy a seamless Hajj exercise.
Keyamo said: “From the outset, President Bola Tinubu has been clear about the revitalisation of infrastructure within the aviation sector. You can see the level of attention the President has given to the sector. You can see the ongoing revamping of airports, the reconstruction of the Lagos airport, the resurfacing of the Kano runway and several other projects.
“This is just one in a series of steps that the President has mandated us to take. The redevelopment of the Hajj Terminal here is aimed at ensuring that our pilgrims enjoy, as much as possible, a seamless Hajj exercise every year. This is not limited to Lagos; we are going to Kano next week and to other parts of the country.
We are undertaking similar projects across the country. “Within the limits of the resources available to us, you can see how much has been achieved here. You went inside with us and saw the prayer room, the VIP section, the general boarding area and the screening machines.
“I don’t think this facility falls short of our standards anywhere. Within the limited resources available, and I am sure you know how prudent this government has been in managing resources in the aviation sector, you can see the extent of the improvements that have been made here. “So, for us, and for me personally, we are very impressed.
We are very impressed with what we have seen here and with the improvements that have been made to the Hajj Terminal.” For his part, Chairman of FAAN Board, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, expressed delight at the infrastructure, saying it was an indication of the progressive steps being taken in the aviation sector. Ganduje said: “They say that it is easy to declare a war, but it is difficult to wage it. What I mean is that it is easy to make a policy, bu…
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