The entire weather forecasting equipment of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) was destroyed in the fire outbreak that engulfed the old terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, on Monday.

The government has also reiterated that it will pull down the entire structure as a result of the fire.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made these remarks on Tuesday in Lagos during the inspection of the burnt terminal.

The incident, which occurred in the terminal around 3:30 pm, did not result in any loss of life, but no fewer than six persons were seriously injured while at least 12 Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs) and other users were temporarily trapped in the fire outbreak.

According to Keyamo, NiMet’s operational offices and its equipment located on the upper floors of the old building were completely gutted by the fire.

But he said the extent of the damage was yet to be fully assessed, as parts of the building remained unsafe.

Keyamo, however, assured airlines and the travelling public that contingency measures had already been in place to prevent disruption to flight services.

He explained that alternative weather stations within NiMet’s nationwide network would support operations in Lagos, pending the replacement of the destroyed equipment.

He said: “Our NiMet equipment and offices where weather readings are carried out are totally gone.

“We have other stations that can provide weather readings. Temporary arrangements will be made while we implement the grand plan to replace the damaged equipment.”

Keyamo added that the fire would hasten evacuation from the building and the commencement of full reconstruction works at the terminal, which was already slated for total reconstruction.

The terminal was planned for reconstruction within 22 months, starting from August 2025.

The minister confirmed that although some airport personnel, including ATCs, were briefly trapped during the incident and had to be rescued, no lives were lost.

According to him, four of the injured are in stable condition.

Keyano further commended emergency responders, including the Lagos State Fire Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police, and officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), for their swift intervention, which prevented the fire from spreading to other critical facilities in the area. (Guardian)

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