SAN FRANCISCO, January 02, (THEWILL) – The Federal Government on Monday declared that it prefers losing billions of dollars in revenue than to risk lives.
The Minister of state for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said this while disclosing that Thursday had been slated for engaging stakeholders in the industry on issues arising from the proposed closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
He had earlier announced closure of the airport for repairs on its runway, revealing the choice of Kaduna international airport as alternative in the interim.
The minister, in a statement by the deputy director, press and public affairs in the Ministry of Transportation, James Odaudu, stated that Thursday’s meeting was a follow-up to the decision to temporarily shut down operations at the airport for six weeks in February and March.
According to him, the stakeholders’ forum will afford him with the opportunity to officially inform the sector’s players of the decision.
The statement reads, “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.”
Sirika said the forum was in line with government’s belief in hearing people’s opinions in formulating and executing policies.
He said government is 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.
The minister explained that the decision was informed by safety and security concerns.
He 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.
Meanwhile, the Niger state government has advised the federal government to make use of the Minna International Airport during the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Reacting to the selection of Kaduna airport as the alternative, the commissioner for information in Niger State, Jonathan Vatsa, insisted that Minna airport is the closest to Abuja.
He appealed to the government to hasten work on the dualisation of Suleja–Minna road to serve as gateway to the Minna airport.
Vatsa expressed the readiness of the Niger government to assist the federal government in making Minna airport an alternative for the period Abuja airport will be closed.
He said Minna airport had the requisite facilities and manpower to serve as “trusted” alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport, Abuja, adding that the state was also known as one of most peaceful in the country.
The commissioner added that conversion of Minna airport for the purpose would also reduce the suffering of travellers.
He said in a statement, “In times like this, Minna airport should be used and in the most economic way; it should also be used as a cargo airport.
“Therefore, with the planned closure of Abuja airport for rehabilitation, it is wise economically to use Minna to serve Abuja.
“The proximity of Minna to Abuja is one hour plus if the dualisation work on Minna-Suleja road is fast-tracked and completed as planned by the federal government.
“As government, we therefore call on the authorities to look into this viable alternative.”
