By Kingsley Okoye
The Senate has urged the Ministry of Aviation to immediately begin process of upgrading the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport for international operations.
The senate resolution followed the consideration and adoption of a motion on the need to upgrade the airport to begin international operations, at plenary on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the motion was sponsored by Sen. Ali Ndume (APC-Borno) and co-sponsored by eight other senators.
Ndume, in his lead debate, underscored the importance of airport infrastructure as a catalyst for economic growth foreign direct investments and socio-economic development.
He stressed the urgent need to upgrade the airport to an internationally-operated facility in the North-East, with equipments like the international runways and tarmacs, among others.
The senator noted that among all the six geo-political zones of the country, only the North East has no international airport.
According to him, given the fact that Borno has borders with three countries: namely Chad, Cameroun and Niger, the presence of an international airport would enhance efficient and effective movement of goods and people from Nigeria and across the world.
This, he said, would further help in reducing excess pressure on the road and infrastructure within the zone.
Ndume said that the total land area of Maiduguri airport could conveniently accommodate a standard international airport, thereby propelling the tourism sector.
He further stated that if upgraded, the airport would provide a communication link which, he said, was vital among the various groups within the region.
The senator also said that the upgrade of the airport would attract foreign investments, enhance economic development, improve quality of life of the people of the zone and increase the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
In its resolution, the senate mandated its committee on aviation to follow up and report back within eight weeks. (NAN)
Edited by Benson Iziama and ‘Wale Sadeeq