The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has embarked on complete rehabilitation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) terminal ahead of its scheduled reopening on April 19.

Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the airport on Friday, reports that work was going on at the Terminal B of both the international and domestic wings of the airport.

The Bureau de change stand at the terminal has been dismantled, most parts of the building were being repainted and the public toilets were also being fixed.

The Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu who spoke with NAN said the ongoing renovation was to ensure that airport reopens with well-equipped facilities that would meet global standard.

Yakubu said the bureau de change stand would be rebuilt into new style to meet with international standard in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard practice.

She explained that the style being currently used in Nigeria was not in accordance with what obtained in other airports especially in the developed countries.

The spokesperson added that the authority, being also mindful of the plight of the physically challenged and aged persons had decided to provide lift and escalators at the departure hall.

According to her, the stand will not be relocated but will be rebuilt to standard as prescribed by ICAO. The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika had on Thursday, disclosed that by April 19 when the airport would be reopened, it would be wearing new look.

Sirika said that FAAN was doing complete rehabilitation of the terminal B of the international wing with escalators and lift at the departure for the physically challenged and aged persons.

According to him, the airport is opening on April 19 with better runway, better facilities and will be more efficient and compliant with ICAO protocol on standard and best practices.

“Also, we are opening a lounge for the physically challenged and elderly and this is a response from the feedback that we get.

“In terminal B building also, lift, toilets and other ancillary facilities will be provided.

“The closure of this airport also means that we improve the terminal to be more robust and create a seamless flow of international and local passengers.”

The Federal Government had on March 8 shut the airport for six weeks to enable Julius Berger carryout complete repair of its failed 3.6 kilometres runway. NAN reports that the rehabilitation work has reached 57 per cent completion three weeks after the closure. (NAN)

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