The Federal Government has finalized plans to demolish two private hangars at Lagos’ Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA).
Former Director General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr. Harold Demuren, learned that the two hangars belong to Bishop David Oyedepo, founder of the Living Faith Church Worldwide (aka Winners Chapel) and Evergreen Apple.
Senator Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, announced this over the weekend, noting that the $300 million Dominion and Evergreen Apple hangars and offices would be demolished to make way for the expansion of the apron of the new international airport terminal in Lagos.
“We are not operating the Lagos airport at full capacity and it is household knowledge, now we have some obstructions that would be removed within the next one or two weeks so that we can expand the apron and Lagos can have the full airport in full use to 100 per cent,” he insisted.
According to him, the structures must go to give way for efficiency, adding “it is $300m investment over there and they can’t sit there in public interest and we would certainly shift them somewhere; it has to go.
“You cannot deny this city, Lagos, and the country in general from the use of their airport.
“When we demolished AIB building that belongs to us, some people said it was to move them to Abuja.
“They have never been in Lagos, their headquarters is in Abuja and if the entire country is to move to Abuja, what is small AIB of 200 people.
“I don’t need to demolish their building; if I say ‘go’ and he doesn’t go, I fire him, I appointed him, big deal.”
He also revealed that the agencies had been directed to compile documents of all safety and security critical items that would make the industry more efficient and profitable for posterity in order to form his handing over notes.
“Government is a serious business, if there is no government, we won’t be able to exist; so, what needs to be done will be done,” he added.