* Senator Hadi Sirika * Pix Source: Info Trust News
…Fixes Meeting For January 5
…Says Govt Prefers To Lose Billions Of Dollars In Revenue Than Risk Lives.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika is to engage the Industry stakeholders on issues arising from the proposed closure of the closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe Airport (NAA), Abuja.
The parley is a follow up to the decision of the Federal Government to temporarily shut down operations at Abuja for repairs on the only runway and the taxi ways of the airport.
An online statement signed by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu, stated that the stakeholders forum would afford the minister the opportunity to officially inform the sector players of the decision and also brief them on efforts being made to ensure that the use of the Kaduna Airport as an alternate during the six-week closure of the Abuja airport is seamless and hitch-free.
Sirika in the statement emphasised that the forum is in line with government belief in ventilating people’s opinions in formulating and executing policies, adding that the invited stakeholders for the meeting on Thursday, January 5, 2017, would also be expected to make their contributions and key into the plans to make their operations during the period less problematic.
Government, he stated 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, but explained that the decision was informed by safety and security concerns, declaring that government would rather lose billions of dollars in revenue than risk lives.
The minister also disclosed that the ministry would invite other ministries, departments and agencies and organisations, including security agencies, the Kaduna state government, the media and others that are expected to play roles during the six-week period.
Recalled that Sirika had revealed government plans to shut down the Abuja Airport during an unscheduled visit to monitor operations during the yuletide period.
