FOLLOWING a report (not in Nigerian Tribune) that Ministry of Aviation has directed the operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) to stay away from all the nation’s international airports, the Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah has debunked the report, describing it as untrue and a blatant lie.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after inspecting ongoing renovation of Yakubu Gowon Airport in Jos, Plateau State, the Minister said there was no iota of truth in the report, adding that the Aviation needs the SSS more than before and could not have sent them packing.
“That is not true, that is absolutely untrue, there is no reason for that to happen, we need the State Security Service to be at our terminals and they are there and will remain there.
“I don’t know where the reports emanated from, but I think it is unbelievable for anyone to think that someone should give marching orders to security men at any airport in Nigeria or any part of the world for that matter,” she said.
She commended the contractors for good architectural design but insisted that the ceiling and the painting must be completed within the next 30 days, adding that the cause of the delay was not fund as portrayed by those handling the work.
According to her “The contractor has done a very good job looking at the design of the airport. But we are unhappy with the pace of work. We ought to have completed Jos terminal by now, but we instructed them to complete this terminal in 30 days or face the consequences.
She added that the airport, if completed, would boost the economy of the state as the airport had been designated as cargo terminal for perishable goods because of the rich agricultural potential of Plateau State.
The minister said, “The benefits of designating this airport as terminal for perishable goods are enormous, you are going to have new class coming out of the rural areas, you are going to have development coming out of different communities, you are going to have connectivity that is commercial in nature, but overall, you are going to have bottom up growth in the economy of the state”.
Source: Tribune
