*Seeks dedicated power line for Kano airport
From Suleiman Amagbor, in Lagos
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has urged state Governors to help improve facilities at airports in their states where pilgrims will be flown out to Saudi Arabia in readiness for the 204 hajj operations.
He said that their roles are important to ensure smooth and hitch-free operations during the exercise.
The Minister spoke at an inspection tour of facilities recently installed at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport to enhance the experience of pilgrims embarking on Hajj pilgrimage from the airport.
Keyamo was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, the Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, and directors from both the Ministry and FAAN.
The former human rights activist had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Governor of Kano State, Abba Kabir Yusuf and was received by the Kano state Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Abdulssalam Gwarzo.
The Minister outlined three critical requests aimed at enhancing the efficiency and functionality of MAKIA and urged the kano state government to facilitate the installation of a dedicated powerline at the airport to address persistent issues of low power outage, particularly affecting the air-conditioning system.
He appealed for the state’s support in acquiring two additional generating plants to supplement electricity supply at the airport, to ensure uninterrupted operations for pilgrims and travellers, and drew attention to the properties belonging to Skypower that have been under dispute, seeking the state government’s intervention to resolve the matter amicably.
In his response, the Deputy Governor assured Keyamo of the state government’s commitment to address the outlined requests promptly just as he pledged to expedite the resolution of the issues raised.
The Deputy Governor joined the Minister’s entourage for a tour of the newly installed facilities at the Hajj camp section of MAKIA where he underscored the collaborative efforts between the federal and state governments to ensure a seamless experience for pilgrims.
