The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced that the fire-ravaged old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport will be demolished.
Keyamo made the disclosure on Tuesday while inspecting the extent of damage caused by Monday’s fire outbreak at the terminal in Lagos. He confirmed that the blaze had been successfully contained and that no lives were lost in the incident.
Speaking with journalists at the scene, the minister said those who were hospitalised following the fire are responding positively to treatment at a health facility in Lagos.
He explained that the affected terminal had already been earmarked for refurbishment but would now be pulled down entirely. According to him, arrangements for a temporary terminal to accommodate the few airlines operating from the facility are at an advanced stage.
The fire, which broke out around 3:00 p.m. on Monday, disrupted operations at the old terminal, leading to flight diversions, delays and operational uncertainty for several airlines.
At least six persons were reportedly hospitalised after the blaze engulfed Terminal 1, damaging airport equipment and prompting a large-scale emergency response involving multiple agencies. As of about 7:00 p.m., firefighters were still battling the flames, with thick smoke seen billowing from parts of the terminal
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