Sirika: No going back on planned demolition of structures at Lagos airport

Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, says demolition of structures occupied by the sector’s agencies in Lagos will go on as planned.

Sirika said this on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ appreciation forum for the reconstruction of the Lagos airport runway 18L.

Last week, the minister said the office spaces occupied by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), would be demolished for a more ambitious plan: turning the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, into an aerotropolis.

An aerotropolis is a city or urban area centred around an airport.

Sirika said there was no going back on the project to ensure Nigeria delivers state-of-the-art facilities.

Honourable Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, MD/CE, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Capt Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu and his management team, hosts all Stakeholders and members of the press in appreciation of the rehabilitation of Runway 18L/36R, today 15th November 2022. pic.twitter.com/NV9H0DQGW1

— Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (@FAAN_Official) November 15, 2022

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He said the country cannot shortchange itself on the global move to deliver world-class air transport infrastructure as “it has been done in other developed countries such as the United Arab Emirates, and America, amongst others”.

“If I have my way, those structures from the local airport to Bristow will be demolished tomorrow and pave the way for the emergence of a befitting airport city,” the minister said.

“Would you not like to see shopping malls, befitting car parks, and other support facilities like you find in other parts of the world?”

The aviation unions had cautioned the minister on the move, asking him to shelve the demolition plans.

At a recent press conference, the national union of air transport employees (NUATE), the air transport services senior staff association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the association of Nigeria aviation professionals (ANAP) threatened a nationwide strike and protest if the buildings are demolished.