The Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative ( ASRTI) has expressed support of the decision of the Lagos State Government to build an airport in the Lekki axis advocating a Public Private Partnership (PPP) model and the need for the Ministry through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) to give necessary support and approvals for the project.
The ASRTI in a statement issued by Olumide Ohunayo stated that the reason the think tank is backing the project is because it would cater to the bourgeoning population and businesses around the Lekki industrial layout as the corridor has been steadily expanding which created logistics and traffic nightmares that have affected economic opportunities.
The statement read,”Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative whole-heartedly welcomes the decision of the Lagos State Government to build an airport in the Lekki axis to cater to the bourgeoning population and businesses around the Lekki industrial layout.
“Despite prior promises and the potentials including the extensive plans for the development of the area over the years, the project never took off and the Lekki corridor continued to expand, creating congestion, logistic and traffic chaos, impacting the economic and business opportunities in the area.
“For the benefits to Lagos, we strongly advocate for a Public Private Partnership (PPP) and the need for the regulator, the NCAA and the Federal Ministry of Aviation, to give the necessary support and approvals for this project.
“We are also calling on the relevant agencies and tiers of government, to as a matter of urgency, commence with the repair of the Cenotaphs erected to honour the fallen air passengers at Lisa, Epe and Ejigbo respectively. These sites serve as a memorial of the dark history of our industry and to honour to our fallen citizens. Therefore, roads leading to these sites should be fixed for accessibility,” the statement ended.