Worried by the proposal for six week closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, the nation’s Senate has resolved to invite the Ministers of Transportation, that of State on Aviation; Works, Power & Housing, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief of Air staff, managing director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), to provide it with details on the said closure.
The senate said that the ministers are expected to explain the circumstances leading to the closure, which takes effect from March 6, this year and what measures are being taken to lessen the negative effects of such exercise.
A motion, which was sponsored by Senator Hope Uzodinma and five other Senators noted with concern, the decision of FAAN to close the Airport for six weeks for the purpose of carrying out repairs. The upper chamber is worried that a 6-week outright closure of a major and the only airport in the FCT can trigger untold hardships on air travelers.
The Senate said that it is determined to explore all other possible options that can avert the planned total closure of a strategic National port for six weeks.
The Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who seconded the motion, admitted that there is need to repair the runway but said “I don’t agree with closure of the airport. Many countries have repaired airports without closure and many lives have been lost on Kaduna road”
In his contribution, the Deputy Majority Leader, Senator Bala Ibn N’Allah said: “I am disappointed with the approval of the closure. We should make necessary consultations and find alternative solutions to it.”
Barnabas Gemade, representing Benue Central, suggested that the government should take the shutdown in piece meal, saying: “we can do repairs 36 hours in a week or on Saturdays.”
Senator Dino Melaye, who represents Kogi West, admitted that such action will embarrass the country and that it will also affect the country economically, politically and socially.
“Our Aviation intellectuals must think.”
Senator Shehu Sanni from Kaduna, in his own comment, said: “the elites are running away from the problems they created. They have created hell and want to live in paradise. If the road is bad they do not want to go there.” [myad]
