NigerianFLIGHTDECK Travel and Business Reportage 
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Senator Hadi Sirika today commissioned a N2.2billion expansion of the first phase of the General Aviation Terminal ( GAT) increasing the capacity of the terminal from 254 to 1,024.
This is just as he proceeded to commission the Cargo Terminal at the Murtala Muhammed Airport.
The expansion of the GAT, carried out by project contractor, Messrs Glovesly Pro-Project Limited,has passenger processing capacity of 1,024, as against 256, which was the capacity before this expansion, central a conditioning unit, fire alarm and sprinkers, as well as Aviation mini clinic.
The facility also comes with the complements of 3 Standard Departure Halls (2 downstairs, and 1upstairs), 3 VIP Lounges (1 downstairs and 2 upstairs), 2 Protocol Lounge(1 downstairs and 1 upstairs), 3 Lifts (departure, VIP, and Protocol), 4 Toilets, 5 Office spaces, 5 Staircases, amongst others, as againstDeparture Hall, 1 VIP Lounge, 1Protocol Lounge, and 20 Toilets, which were the facilities available before the commencement of the project.
The minister in his speech before the commissioning stressed that the project was conceived to address the decades-long limited capacity challenge of the terminal.
He stated, “You will agree with me that the geometric increase in population of Nigeria, which resulted in increase in passenger volume has overwhelmed available facilities at this terminal and as part of efforts to address this challenge, the Federal Government at some point developed the Zulu terminal to complement the existing old terminal, but the capacity limitation situation still persisted.
“Oftentimes, particularly at peak periods, you will observe that facilities in this terminal are usually overstretched because the volume of passengers using the facilities far outweighs the capacity available.
“We therefore evaluated the situation, and decided to expand the terminal, as a short term measure to address the situation. It is our intention to build a new and much bigger domestic terminal in the nearest future.
“The facility we are commissioning today is a product of that thought, and it is only the first phase of the project. As soon as we put this to use, we hope that the incoming administration will continue with the construction of the second phase. As you will be seeing in due course, this facility contains brand new protocol lounges, airline office spaces, VIP lounges, with the complements of conveniences that will enhance safety, security and comfort of our esteemed passengers.
“The project started early last year, and I am glad that the first phase was completed in record time, and is being commissioned today.I am very confident that the provision of this facility will enhance passenger facilitation at this terminal, and will also improve the revenue generation of FAAN.
