International travelers passing through the newly built terminal at Malam Aminu International Airport (MAKIA) in Kano have protested following an extreme discomfort they faced due to malfunctioning air conditioning systems.
PLATFORM TIMES reports that despite temperatures soaring to 43 degrees Celsius, the cooling units at the terminal are unable to provide relief, leaving passengers feeling as though they are being roasted alive.
PLATFORM TIMES gathered that the terminal, commissioned on May 26, 2023, by President Muhammadu Buhari at a cost exceeding $500 million, was a collaborative effort between Nigeria and the Chinese government under a built, operate, and transfer agreement.
However, the current state of affairs at the terminal tells a different story.
According to a credible source, the terminal’s cooling system is severely compromised.
The source said one of its generators has been awaiting service for over eight months, while the other lacks a functioning battery.
The source added that as a result, the air conditioners are unable to operate effectively, especially during power outages when the generators are relied upon.
Passengers, like Tahir Abdallah, expressed frustration over the dire conditions they endure while awaiting their flights.
Abdallah recounts how the heat caused even the immigration equipment to malfunction, impeding the passport screening process.
Umar Ibrahim, another traveler bound for Saudi Arabia, shares his ordeal, revealing that the unbearable heat led to him vomiting twice.
He said despite feeling unwell, passengers are restricted from seeking respite outside the terminal due to security protocols.
PLATFORM TIMES further gathered that the overcrowding exacerbates the situation, with passengers from Ethiopia Airlines, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt Air, along with a significant number of deportees from Saudi Arabia, adding to the congestion within the terminal.
PLATFORM TIMES also learnt that , reports suggest financial impropriety, with passengers being charged an additional $200 on their tickets purportedly for terminal infrastructure.
However, it’s alleged that these funds have not been remitted to the Chinese partners, leaving them feeling aggrieved by the lack of accountability.
Efforts to obtain clarification from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) media office in Kano have been unsuccessful.
Do you want to share a story with us? Do you want to advertise with us? Do you need publicity for a product, service, or event? Contact us on WhatsApp +2348183319097 Email: platformtimes@gmail.com
We are committed to impactful investigative journalism for human interest and social justice. Your donation will help us tell more stories. Kindly donate any amount HERE
