<<By Tahav Agerzua>>
Supervising Aviation Minister, Chief Dr. Samuel Ortom, has disclosed that his ministry and military authorities were holding discussions on how to resolve the impasse on the Makurdi Airport Cargo Terminal so that work could resume on the project.
He spoke with newsmen after an inspection of projects at the airport maintaining that the Federal Government deliberately sited the biggest cargo terminal for perishable and fresh products in Benue State.
Chief Dr. Ortom disclosed that the military authorities had raised security issues with regard to the Cargo Terminal which is still at the foundation stage pointing out that such issues had to be addressed.
“You know that this is not a civilian airport, this is a military base and we have some challenges but we’re discussing with the authorities and as soon as we’re able to get over these challenges we’ll be able to continue work,” he stated.
”When it comes to issues of security those of us who are not experts have no authority over them and when they’re raised we have to respect those professionals who are charged with the responsibility of taking care of our security.”
“But we’re committed and we’re determined, this is the Food Basket of the nation and we believe that the transformation agenda will make a lot of meaning to our people if this project is commissioned,” he assured.
On the passengers’ terminal he stated that funds would be made available to the contractor to complete work on it within two months adding that he was satisfied with the quality of work.
‘The good thing is that the budget has been approved and as soon as Mr. President signs it into law there will be funds to continue with the project because we were properly captured in the budget and I believe that in the next two months we should talk of commissioning this project,” he maintained.
“Like I said before the roadmap for the transformation of the aviation industry is on course and we’ll ensure that all projects that were started by my predecessors are completed.”
The Minister debunked media reports that the Permanent Secretary of the Aviation Ministry was frustrating remodeling efforts in the aviation industry saying there was no iota of truth in such assertions.