With just a few days to the end of his regime, the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Friday, commissioned the newly built international terminal of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and other key projects in Zaria, Kaduna State.
The President who spoke virtually noted that Kano occupies a very unique position as a gateway of commerce, investment and entrepreneurship in the country, reiterating the government’s determination to ensure the success of the national airport’s modernization, safety and capacity.
Speaking earlier, the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, stated that the newly built Kano terminal has a capacity of seven million passengers, which will serve the people of Kano, its environs and the country in general.
He further said that the new terminal building has the best facilities for passenger facilitation and appreciated the President, stating that the aviation infrastructure to be commissioned is both soft and hard infrastructure.
He went on to say, “NCAT has produced 70% of the workforce in civil aviation, pilots to engineers to air traffic controllers, cabin crews to all forms and manners of staff of aviation and they have been serving this country all this while”.
Speaking further, Sirika said NCAT during the present administration has been provided with most of its training needs, as seen by the commissioning of 20 aircraft, of which nine have been delivered so far, adding that the significance of this would cut 50 per cent of the training needs and training funding at the college.
He emphasised that the aviation sector has witnessed tremendous and improved infrastructure under the outgoing administration.
In a statement by the Head, Press and Public Relations of the Ministry, Oluseyi Odutayo said the projects commissioned include; six Diamond DA 40NG and one DA42NG aircraft, Magnus aircraft, an AET school building, Automated fire/smoke aircraft training simulator, Boeing 737NG flight simulator.
”Others are Boeing 737NG Full flight simulator, Boeing 737NG integrated procedural trainer, Ultra Modern Auditorium complex, and ATSEP Basic online ICAO Training package.”
The Governor of Kano State, Abdullahi Ganduje, in Kano, appreciated the President for the huge growth he has brought to Kano and for taking Kano to the next level.
He said the new terminal building will serve as the gateway to investment and economic power.
