Aero Contractors was the first airline to start operations at the the new domestic terminal of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, known as MMA2, after it was officially opened for services with the signing of Memorandun of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigeria Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) last month.
Aero commensed services at the new terminal with two of its early morning flights yesterday that were destined to Port Harcourt and Warri from Lagos respectively with its turbo prop Dash 8 aircraft.
The airline’s business development manager, Mr. Mark Snoxxel told newsmen that it was indeed a wonderful day for the air line as they have looked forward to the commencement of operations at the new terminal for a long time.
“It is a very memorable day, we’ve been waiting for this for four years;for this terminal to be built, completed so that we can deliver better services to our customers.”
He said that the airline’s growth rate within the past years has been tremendous, which stretched its private terminal that “was getting smaller quite quickly, and the new terminal with its spacious capacity will help the airline meet its objectives of delivering smooth services.”
Snoxell stated that Aero terminl would now be used for other purposes, including maintenance and specialised flights.
“Our other facilities remain, it is for our maintenance and we do a lot of dedicated charters for companies like Total, Chevron, Exxon and the terminal will be operated for helicopters and charted flights, but all our scheduled commercial flights will commence from the MMA2.”
He disclosed that the terminal would also serve for regional flights, noting that the airline is looking forward to commence its regional operations from the new terminal but stated that the matter was entirely in the hands of the management of the new terminal and when they would be prepared to let the airline begin its regional operations from there. Alex van Elk, the managing director of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, the opertors of the new terminal, told journalists that he was happy that the terminal has started operations, noting that it was good that it was Aero Contractors, a prime domestic carrier that started services at the terminal. According to him, in spite of the initial delays it is comforting that the terminal has started serving Nigerians, as it was ment to be, diclosing that the other airlines are expected to relocate to the new terminal within the next two weeks. Van Elk added that all the local airlines that were operating from the old domestic terminal, including Arik Air and Virgin Nigeria Airways that operate from the international wing of the airport will all relocate to MMA2. After the commissioning of the terminal in April this year by the former Nigerian President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo , Chachngi operated its Kaduna flights from the terminal for facility triaI
News 9/9 B on Room and Final Copy
Chime Clamps Down on Nnamani’s Loyalists, Ejects Ex-SSG, Others �He is an illegal occupant -Govt From Francis Ugwoke in Enugu In what appeared like a clamp down on political opponents, the Enugu State Government yesterday moved to eject former political appointees from their residential quarters in the state. Among those affected was the immediate-past Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dan Shere, who is a close aide to the former Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, now a senator. Shere�s personal effects in his residential quarter at No. 7 Lugard Crescent, GRA, Enugu, were seen thrown out at the gate of the house under the rain which fell for over one hour. Our Correspondent who was at the venue saw the Commissioner for Environment, Mr. Chijoke Agu, the Chief Security Officer to the Governor, Mr Ogarabe, Divisional Police officer, Abakiliki, Mr Abubakar, and other police officers who were armed to the teeth. It was gathered that the officers were at Shere�s house to ensure that the order to eject the former SSG was effected. At former SSg�s house were a number of relatives, mainly young men and women who were seen busy packing the personal effects into an old Nissan Patrol Jeep, and two other cars. Sources also have it that owners of residential quarters belonging to those who are close to Nnamani will equally suffer the same fate like Shere in a question of time. A close relation to Shere who was not at home when the order to eject him came said the house was duly allocated to him while in government. Reacting to the development, former Commissioner for Information, Mr. Igbonekwu Ogazimorah, while condemning yesterday�s incident told THISDAY that he was informed that some people also came to his House asking about the owner of the property. Ogazimorah said it was unfair that Shere could be treated in such a manner so soon that he left government. When contacted, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Chuks Ugwoke said the house in question was not monetized. Ugwoke added, “any complaint of forceful ejection from No,7 Lugard Avenue is not only mischevious but an attempt to attract public sympathy”, he said. He also said “the questions to ask is: was the property sold to any official? Was the House monetised. The truth is tht we have no record that the property was monetised. In the handover note signed by the foprmer SSG, the same No. 7 Lugard Avenue was written “not monetised”. Ugwoke maintained that those living in the house were illegal occupants. Governor Chime and Nnamani who was the godfather of the former in the April general election have since fallen apart shortly after the Ap ril gneral election. Chime, it was said, had on assuming office stopped the monetisation policy of the former administration on the allocation of residential quarters to former Commissioners, special advisers, judges and permanent secretaries. It would be recalled that Nnamani had while in government demolished houses belonging to political opponents. Among those affected were former Senator Fidelis Okoro, and aide, Mr Nana Ogbodo, among others.