The Sultan Abubakar III International Airport in Sokoto is vulnerable to incursion by unauthorised persons and animals, its manager, Alhaji Abubakar Buba, said yesterday.

He told newsmen in an interview that he had in view of that, appealed to the federal government to hasten work on the airport's fence and provide accommodation for security men guarding it, in addition to installing lights across the airport to counter the threat.

Alhaji Buba urged the government to revoke the multi-billion naira hajj terminal abandoned since 2014 by the contractor.

He said the contract which was awarded in 2012 was still at the foundation level.

But our correspondent learnt that the contract was abandoned as a result of lack of funds. It was gathered that the contractor was not mobilized to site because the Federal Ministry of Aviation was not satisfied with the quality of his work.

"The Permanent Secretary had before effecting the required payment asked a professor at the Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, to assess the level of work done. The negative report he submitted caused stoppage of payment by the Permanent Secretary and the contractor is yet to mobilise to site," Buba said.

He maintained that the processing of prospective pilgrims was not done in line with the global standards due to the non completion of the hajj terminal.

According to him, an ideal hajj terminal must have an ambulance on standby and provide conveniences and comfort for intending pilgrims.