The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, will on
Thursday engage the Industry’s Stakeholders on issues
arising from the proposed closure of the Nnamdi
Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for repairs on its
runway.
Sirika disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr James
Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs,
Ministry of Transportation on Monday in Abuja.
Abuja Airport To Be Closed For 6 Weeks From February
2017
He said the meeting was a follow-up to the decision of
the Federal Government to temporarily shut down
operations at the airport for six weeks in February and
March.
According to the minister, the Stakeholders’ Forum will
afford him with the opportunity to officially inform the
sector’s players of the decision.
“It is also to brief them on efforts being made to ensure
that the use of the Kaduna International Airport as an
alternative during the six-Week closure of the Abuja
Airport is seamless and hitch-free.
“The Stakeholders will also be expected to make their
contributions and key into the plans to make their
operations during the period less problematic,” he said.
Sirika, however, emphasised that the Forum was in line
with government’s belief in ventilating people’s opinions
in formulating and executing policies.
He said that government was aware of the likely high
level of discomfort and inconvenience the proposed
closure of the airport would cause air transport
passengers, airline operators and other service
providers.
He explained that the decision was informed by safety
and security concerns, saying that government would
rather lose billions of dollars in revenue than to risk
lives.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry would
invite other Ministries, Departments and Agencies
(MDAs) as well as security agencies and the Kaduna
State Government who were expected to play roles
during the six-week period.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the
minister had in December revealed government plans to
shut down the airport while briefing newsmen on its
efforts toward addressing the challenges of aviation
fuel.
