Buhari Inaugurates $600 Million New Airport Terminal in Port Harcourt

• Buhari Inaugurates $600 Million New Airport Terminal in Port Harcourt

The Federal Government has inaugurated the $600 million Port Harcourt International Airport terminal funded by both the Nigerian Government and the Export-Import Bank of China.

The terminal, which was constructed by China Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), was inaugurated by President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the company is also constructing new terminals in Lagos, Kano and Abuja International Airports.

Speaking during the inauguration, President Buhari said the new terminal would address the increasing international air travel needs of the nation, adding that the increase in population had also added impetus.

“I am very pleased to formally commission the new international terminal of the Port Harcourt Airport, Omagwa today.”

“This ceremony represents a significant landmark for international air travellers, especially from the South-South region and the entire country.”

“You will recall that after the opening of the major airport terminals in the country in the late 70s and early 1980s, not too much was added to increase the passenger handling capacity by successive administrations.”

“Following the large increase in the number of passengers and air passenger travel, the terminal became grossly inadequate to cater for the increasing passenger travel.”

“Although, palliative measures were periodically carried out on facilities to repair the wear and tear.”

“The Federal Government is responding to global trend of which aviation has become a catalyst for economic growth and facilitates the movement of persons,” he said.