Project consultant for the new terminal at the Victor Attah International Airport in Akwa Ibom State, Francis Uwah, has stated that the terminal’s one million passengers projection per annum will boost tourism potential and the economy of the state.

The international terminal building, currently at the advance stage of completion, will be ready for use before May, 2023. Speaking with newsmen after touring the facility, Uwah said the terminal would be the first regional hub in West Africa.

He said: “Apart from the first international airport we have in the country, this is going to be the first regional hub in West Africa. This is going to be a stopover for planes going to Cameron, Gambia and other countries in West Africa.

“The technologies we are going to have here will be more than 200 and it will not just make it a passenger-terminal building but an automated-intelligent passenger-terminal building.

“The initial passenger projection is one million passengers per year and you know what that means for the economy of Akwa Ibom, especially in the area of tourism potential.”

Also speaking, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, described the smart terminal building as a signature project of the present administration in furtherance with its commitment to the development of the state.