The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Saleh Dunoma, says that the authority is working toward ending the current traffic congestion at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Dunoma, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja on Thursday, said the gridlock was caused by the ongoing construction work to link the terminal with the train station.
He said that the decision to connect the terminal to the train station was to ensure passengers’ comfort and ease movement to and from the airport.
While appealing to airport users to bear with the authority on the current traffic situation, Dunoma said the project was part of the Federal Government’s plan to integrate the transport system in the city.
According to him, this rail line has been completed and the airport rail station is ready because FAAN wants the passengers to have seamless experience.
He said: “So, we are trying to connect the new terminal to the rail system, so that if passengers come, they would just feel like they are in the same building from the train station to the terminal.
“I want to cease this opportunity to appeal to the general public, especially passengers and airport users alike, that there are a lot of construction and road networks going on at the airport.
“That is the reason they are experiencing traffic holdup, especially during the peak periods.
“I will advise that anybody that is traveling should leave their homes or wherever they are coming from in good time so that they will arrive the airport in good time.
“This will be for a short period of time as we will soon complete the road networks in order to create smooth flow of vehicular movement around the new station and the old terminal.
“They should bear with us for now because of the construction that is going on, they will continue to experience a little bit of holdup and I advise they come to the airport early.”
He explained that since a large number of passengers would arrive the airport at about the same time, the turnaround time at the airport would be faster.
Dunoma said: “Train service will bring many advantages to the airport authority, the passengers and the airlines alike because it will reduce time of movement and provide option.
Kolawole Akande, Site Engineer, Chinese Terminal Project, China Civil Enginnering and Construction Company, said the rail line is ready for operation whenever the terminal building is opened for operation.
Akande said that the train station would be linked to both the existing and the new terminal buildings to ensure that both domestic and international passengers enjoyed the comfort.
According to him, the linking of the terminal buildings to the station with overhead bridge and construction of car parks will be completed within a shortest possible time.
FAAN moves to end traffic congestion in Abuja Airport – Dunoma
