The Comptroller-General of Immigration Service, (CGI) Martin Kure Abeshi has stated that Immigration personnel will be deployed to the new Immigration Control areas at the Murtala Mohammed Airport 2 Ikeja (MM2) in preparedness for the commencement of international flights on the 1st of December, 2015.
According to a statement by Ekpedeme King, deputy comptroller of Immigration who is also the service public relations officer delivered to The Trent by email on Friday, November 13, 2015, this information was made known at a meeting with Mr. Christopher Pennick, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd, the operators of the MM2 Terminal at the Airport which use to be solely for local flights.
Mr. Pennick was at the Service Headquarters today, to brief the CGI on the extent of work done at the Airport to ensure that facilities meet international standards. He confirmed that Bi-Courtney has provided well furnished offices for both administrative and operational duties for the Immigration Service and other necessary facilities needed for passengers’ clearance especially in the Departure and Arrival Halls.
They have also provided a transit area for interline passengers and a holding area for passengers that may be refused entry into Nigeria and need to be repatriated.
He therefore used the opportunity to formally request that NIS personnel be deployed in good time for the take-off of the first international flight. “I am here this morning to request that you post your staff to the Immigration Counters provided; the CEO said. He also said, “Facilities have been designed and produced in a manner to conform to international standards”, while providing seamless transit between international and domestic passengers as well.
Responding, the CGI said that the Service has been monitoring developments at the MM2 since the Federal Government and Bi-Courtney Aviation Nig. Ltd signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and was satisfied with developments. “You have done well and shown seriousness in ensuring that MM2 becomes a model for Airports in Africa. I will deploy well trained officers and men who will offer world class services to passengers at the Terminal. However, for the purpose of effective control; the MM2 operations will be supervised by the Murtala Muhammed Airport Command.”
According to Mr. Pennick, Airlines such as Dana, Aero Contractors and Medview will commence flight using the MM2 to Accra and a few other destinations in West Africa.
Mr. Pennick was accompanied on the visit by Olatunji Olayinka, the Chief Security Officer of MM2.
