The minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has revealed that the Abuja airport runway has been neglected over time by previous governments, and he wondered how pilots were coping with the facility.
Senator Sirika disclosed that he was tempted to shut the airport when he saw the level of dilapidation of the facility, adding that he would surely close the NAIA in the near future in order to ensure the safety of lives and property, especially as the raining season sets in.
The minister disclosed this at an industry wide stakeholders’ forum organised by the federal ministry of transportation in Abuja to unveil the plans of the current government for the aviation sector, PUNCH reports.
“Ladies and gentlemen, if you see slides on how the Abuja runway is at the moment, you won’t fly it.
“I was tempted this morning to close the airport, and I probably will. I probably will, for sure! This is the Abuja runway. It is this bad and this was just yesterday (Sunday),” Sirika said.
“Even if I want, I don’t think I should indulge 40 general managers in FAAN; in fact, level 17. It is not the way to go, no! The structure must be slim, focused, clever, result-oriented, patriotic and be able to deliver the required services,” the minister added.