The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to intensify efforts to complete the International Hajj Terminal and repair all faulty aviation navigation and safety instruments at the Sultan Abubakar International Airport, Sokoto before the commencement of the 2022 hajj.
This followed the adoption of a motion jointly sponsored by Rep Balarebe Shehu Kakale and others.
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In his lead debate on the motion, Kakale stated that the airport was the third busiest airport in the North and a major international passenger feeder to Abuja and Kano.
He also said the airport had the largest Hajj Terminal serving three states with additional aviation auxiliary functions to Abuja, Kano, Kaduna, and Kebbi airports, and handling over 10,000 Hajj and Umrah passengers annually.
He said considering the strategic importance of the airport, contracts were awarded in 2013 to upgrade and build a standard Hajj terminal as required by national and international standards.
He however expressed concerns that nine years after the award, the Hajj Terminal was still under construction with dire need of necessary facilities such as access roads, parking spaces, lightings, fence, offices, and other public conveniences, hence, the urgent need for its completion before the next Hajj exercise.
