Senate fingers security risk at Kaduna, seek partial closure of Abuja Airport
Confusion is about to engulf the planned closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airpirt, Abuja for repairs as the Senate Tuesday objected to the total closure, saying the choice of Kaduna may be risky for security reasons.
Accordingly, they have summoned the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi the Minister of Works, Power and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola for further clarification.
A motion sponsored by Chairman Senate Committee on Customs, Excise and Tariff, Sen. Hope Uzodinma and co-sponsored by five other senators had raised the matter compelling the lawmakers to take the decision.
Others also summoned include the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika who are expected to appear before the Senate within two days to explain the reasons for the closure.
Also invited include Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mohammed Bello, Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) and Managing Director (NAMA).
The lawmaker representing Orlu Zone of Imo State, Sen. Uzodinma raised grave concern about the decision by FAAN to close the Airport for six weeks, beginning from March 6, saying while the effort to carry out repairs on the runway was a welcome development, closure of the only runway was unacceptable.
