The Federal Airport Authority (FAAN) has accused neighbouring communities of encroaching on parts of its 2,248 hectares of land at the Ilorin International Airport.

Manager of FAAN in Kwara state, Alhaji Usman Saka specifically accused the authorities of Ilorin West local government of the state of culpability.

He said: "It is sad to inform you that the Ilorin West Local Government Secretariat is sitting on the land originally owned by FAAN.

"The land is the extensions of the second runaway proposed for the safe landing of aircraft and avoid issue of air disaster which we never prayed for" even as he called on government and traditional institutions to come to the aid of the agency so as to help secure FAAN belongings."

Speaking while receiving the Executive Members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Correspondents' Chapel, Kwara State Council who paid him a courtesy visit, Saka hailed the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan for its effort in remodelling some airports in the country to further ensure safety in air-traveling.

He added that with the giant strides embarked upon by the federal government under the leadership of the Minister for Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, Nigerians and air-travellers across the country would have more confidence in the sector.

Said he: "I am glad to inform you that the Ilorin International Airport is functioning optimally. With the transformation agenda of Mr. President, the airport is really growing and people are getting to know more about the airport both nationally and internationally.

"In fact, apart from the Cargo terminal built by the Kwara state government, another one is also coming soon. Aviation College which is the second of its type nationwide is also here. Navy training school will also be established soon. These developments mean that our airport will soon become a hub for economic and social development for Nigeria."

During the visit, the contractor handling the project, Abubakar Bukar of the Archivisual Solution, disclosed that the project would be formally handed over in the next two weeks.

Bukar however assured that with the modern facilities equipped in the airport, Nigerians will have a taste of a standard air-travelling experience as obtainable in developed nations.

He therefore commended the federal government for upgrading the standard of its airport for the maximum comfort of Nigerians and at the same time to further ensure protection of lives and property of travellers.