A centre for development and international trade promotion is said to be in the works as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria and FCI International Limited are in collaboration to build the facility.
The trade centre which would be called the Nigeria Aviation Conference and Exhibition Centre is to be located at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Punch reports that the construction of the centre is scheduled to begin in three development stages in the year, 2020.
According to the Managing Director of FCI International Limited, Fortune Idu, the development followed the approval of a land lease agreement by the Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Hamisu Yadudu. Idu made known that FAAN conveyed the message through its Head, Directorate of Legal Services, Clifford Omozeghian.
Idu’s words; “The 2,500-square metre centre has been planned to project the best of Nigeria’s businesses and enterprises and stand as a centre of industry promotion and excellence. The centre which will take off early next year is planned through three developmental stages: the first is to develop a 1000-seat capacity hall that can hold 100 exhibition booths where all kinds of industry activities including open-to-public ceremonies can be held.
“The second stage is to expand by building meeting rooms, cafeteria for workshops and business hub; while the third stage will be a multi-storey facility with aerial hall, underground parking, meeting rooms, recreation and learning facilities.”
Why this matters: As Idu stated, the trade centre will attract foreign investors into putting efforts to push the country’s economy. Also, its strategic location at the international wing of the airport was often considered as investors’ gateway.
“The foresight to sign this project by the MD of FAAN is in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration’s mandate of increasing indigenous capacity in creating wealth by opening a platform within the airport corridors where the numerous indigenous produce can be showcased for export market using the air cargo services,” Idu said.