The N712bn refurbishment of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 1 may be delayed by up to three months as the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria plans to build a temporary terminal.

FAAN told the Airline Operators of Nigeria that the interim facility will serve airline staff, airport workers, and passengers while the old terminal is renovated, according to The PUNCH.

A source familiar with the FAAN-AON meeting, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “What was agreed was that they are going to build a temporary structure somewhere around the new terminal, and airlines will not stop working from the old terminal until the temporary structure is ready and then they will now be moved to the makeshift structure.

“It is then that the tearing down or pulling down of the old terminal can begin.”

Construction of the temporary terminal is expected to take three months.

FAAN spokesperson Orah Obiageli confirmed that plans are underway to set up a temporary facility for airport users.

In a text message, she said, “We are putting arrangements in place to ensure we provide a temporary station for all airport users.

“Work commences once all plans are in place.”

The N712bn allocated for renovating the E and D wings of the old Murtala Muhammed Airport terminal in Lagos has sparked controversy, with many Nigerians expressing outrage over the size of the budget.

Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo defended the project, saying it is necessary to replace aging infrastructure, expand capacity, and modernize the nation’s busiest airport to meet global standards.