The National Assembly has urged the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency reopen the International wing of Malam Aminu Kano Airport (MAKIA), Kano.

The House Leader and member representing Tudun Wada/Doguwa constituency, Alhassan Ado Doguwa, said the reopening became necessary if the economic wellbeing of the nation is meant to grow.

He said this while leading other lawmakers to inspect the airport on Sunday.

According to him, their visit to inspect the airport was a follow up to the meeting they had with the Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika on Thursday, March 4, 2021.

“Therefore, we feel it is wise for us to visit and see for ourselves what is actually on ground with a view to actually expressing our concern to the Federal government for the need to reopen the international wing, like Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

“We are aware that it was shut down or closed together with other airports in the world on the basis of the health challenges, especially the issue of COVID-19 which has been a major health challenge in the country.

“If you look at the scenario, Lagos and Abuja have higher cases of the virus than Kano. We don’t even have the new variant here, but the international wing is still closed.

“We are concerned about the collapse of businesses in Kano caused by the prolonged closure of the terminal. Many business people have incurred huge losses.

“See, we met with the minister and he gave us operational reasons and assured us that the terminal will be reopened very soon,” he said.

Ado-Doguwa also called on business people in the state to utilise the newly-completed terminal which is yet to be inaugurated so that to attract more airlines to come to the state.

Conducting the lawmakers round, the Managing Director of Federal Airport Authorities of Nigeria (FAAN), Captain Yadudu, also assured that the terminal will be reopened soon.

According to him, there was a plan to open the terminal before the coming of the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, adding that, “it will be reopened sooner than you expect because we are taking necessary measures to protect all stakeholders.”

While commending the level of work in the terminal, he also urged the federal government to expand the area of the new terminal.

President, Kano Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KACCIMA), Dalhatu Abubakar, on his part, expressed delight over the moves by the lawmakers to secure the reopening of the terminal.

He commended the lawmakers for their effort, adding that the decision to reopen the terminal was a welcome development as it will assist in preventing the complete collapse of businesses in the state.

“This show that we have leaders. We therefore called on the federal government to bring more International airlines to begin operations from Kano,” he called.

DailyPost