The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has denied ordering the demolition of two private jet terminals at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Two (MMIA 2)
Reports claimed that the minister had ordered the demolition of Dominion and EAN hangers, adding that the action would pave the way for the expansion of the Lagos airport.
The two private jet terminals belong to Dominion Air, an arm of Living Faith World Outreach (Winners Chapel), and Evergreen Hangar, owned and operated by a private company.
During an inspection of facilities at the Lagos airport on Thursday, Keyamo said the private jet terminals were obstructing the expansion of the apron size of the new Chinese-built terminal, which was opened in March 2022.
According to the Aviation minister, the apron size of the new international terminal is not adequate to accommodate jumbo planes.
Keyamo emphasised the need to provide a better travelling experience for Nigerian passengers passing through the airport.
As a result, he said the old international terminal would be shut by October 1, while over 25 foreign airlines operating from the facility would be relocated to the new terminal.
But in a tweet via his verified X handle on Thursday, Keyamo said he didn’t order the demolition of the two private jet terminals but their relocation to a new location.
The minister said he only told Nigerians that the private hangars are preventing them from using the new terminal and that he will engage the owners on their eventual relocation.
He wrote: “This is not correct. No demolition was ordered. We have only told Nigerians the private hangars that are preventing Nigerians from using the new terminal and that we will engage the owners on their eventual relocation.”
