By LAWANI MIKAIRU

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has attributed the low activity in Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano to insecurity in the historical city, which has affected socio economic activities in the state.

The agency said it is not true that the airport was dormant, as the airport is being affected by the impact of the insecurity which has stifled most economic activities in the state.

The General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Yakubu Dati, who made this explanation in Lagos said that media attacks against the project, especially the report that the international terminal of the Mallam Aminu Kano Airport has not been put to use after its remodeling was merely to score cheap political goals as the criticism stemmed from ignorance and mischief of some anti- progressive elements.

‘This report alleged that there was sabotage by FAAN and the Ministry of Aviation to make the terminal and perhaps the airport dormant, but this is not true. We wish to state that Kano has been and will continue to be one of the major airports in Nigeria and it is because of the importance attached to the airport that FAAN embarked on rebuilding the domestic terminal which was commissioned in early 2011.”

Dati explained that the viability and utilisation of airport is dependent on passenger movement, adding that it would be difficult for economic activities to go on under threat to lives and property.

“If the terminal or the airport is alleged to be dormant, it means that there is low passenger movement and it is not the responsibility of FAAN or the Ministry of Aviation to attract the passengers to the airport.