Aviation Sector Contributed $1.7bn to Economy, Created 241,000 Jobs – Sirika

The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has said the sector has in recent years created 241,000 jobs, direct and indirect, and contributed $1.7billion to the economy.

According to the Minister, this is gotten from a study by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Nigeria which was released in 2020.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new Terminal Building of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos by President Muhammadu Buhari, the Minister said he would work with other stakeholders to grow the contribution of the sector from the current 0.68% to 5% or approximately $14.16billion.

Sirika said aviation is the worldwide rapid transportation network that facilitates international trade, commerce and tourism, the only medium for achieving continental integration and interaction towards achieving the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063. 

He commended the administration of President Buhari for his efforts towards resolving the problems inherited in the aviation industry in 2015 such as lack of professionalism, scarcity of foreign exchange, obsolete equipment, poor facilities, blocked funds for airlines among others, adding that more still needed to be done.

The Minister said the airport concession project including the new terminals has reached an advanced stage with the Ministry issuing requests for shortlisted firms before the end of March.

Senator Sirika gave assurances that the new terminal will be linked to the railway system.