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Senate, Julius Berger, Minister, engineers disagree on closure of Abuja Airport

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Discussions on plans by the Federal Government to close the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for six weeks continued Tuesday at the Senate.

The talks reached an advanced stage, with Senators, Ministers, Julius Berger Construction Company and the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) expressing divergent opinions on the issue.

While lawmakers insist that the airport should offer skeletal services during the repairs, the President of NSE on the other, Mr. Otis Anyaeji, believes that small aircrafts can land and take off from the airport during the period.

Julius Berger however disagreed. The managing director of the company, Mr. Wolfgang Goetsch, said it is impossible to allow aircrafts land and take off during the repairs.

NSE President, Anyaeji maintained that shutting the airport will mean closing down Nigeria. He said as the only airport in Abuja, shutting it down will completely cut off Nigeria from the rest of the world.

He said: “Nigerian Society of Engineers having critically evaluated the state of the runway observed that the total shutdown of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport being the only airport that connects the capital city of the federal Republic of Nigeria is like shutting down Nigeria.

“The runway could be reconstructed without closing the airport using segmented approach and knowing safety risk management procedures in line with ICAO guidelines. Aircrafts of B737 and below can use part of the runway while work is going on on the other part.”

On his part, Julius Berger’s boss, Goetsch, said if the airport is allowed to accommodate aircrafts during the repairs, it will take over two years to complete the repair work.

He said: “A runway can be repaired without closing it. It depends on the level of the repair. It can be closed down at night and in the morning, it can be opened for usage. But the level of damage in Abuja Airport is bad. If you open the airport in the morning and close it at night, it will take up to two years to complete.”

Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, told Senators that the temporal closure of the airport is in the interest of Nigerians. He insisted that the airport cannot be open for use within the period.

He said: “For the benefits of Nigerians who may be listening, emphasis must be continuously made as a matter that it is the runway of the airport where planes takeoff and land that needs to be repaired because it is no longer safe for that purpose. Therefore, the airport cannot be used. This is a matter of immense public importance.”

A representative of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), DIG Joshak Habila who is in charge of operations, said the Force will ferry Very Important Personalities (VIP) with their three helicopters to and from Kaduna.

He also revealed that a total number of 500 hilux vans and 500 special officers will be deployed to Kaduna-Abuja road within the period.

The IGP’s representative, Habila said: “Our duty is to ensure that we provide the same security we have in Abuja Airport. As I speak, we have deployed 500 hilux trucks and 500 special police officers to Kaduna road.

“We have provided three helicopters that will be dedicated to aerial patrol. The helicopters will carry high profile individuals who maybe in a hurry to catch up with flights.”

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In his remarks, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ekweremadu, urged representatives of the Federal Government to factor in contributions made by lawmakers before arriving at a final conclusion.

“Everyone has said that they would have preferred Abuja airport. While you are taking your decision, please, do not close all the options. We have provided you the opportunity to hear different opinions. You have the final say.

“For the police, if it becomes imperative that we go to Kaduna, ensure that no life is lost. I am sure that they can do this,” he said.

Senator Bala Na’Allah, while criticizing the move of the Federal Government, wondered why some parts of the runway cannot be open for aircrafts to land and take off. He said as an expert in aviation matters, it is possible to operate the airport, while repair works go on.

Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, condemned the huge sum of money earmarked for logistics. He said rather than spend the amount on logistics, the money should be used in fixing failed roads across the country.

Senator Kabiru Gaya, maintained that it is possible to repair the airport and still allow aircrafts to land and take off. He re-echoed the position made by some lawmakers last week that repair works should be carried out at night and during weekends, while aircrafts should be allowed to land and take off weekdays as well as during the day.

Senator Magnus Abe, pointedly told delegates of the Federal Government that a decision has already been made and that contributions and resolutions of the Senate will not be implemented.

He said the intervention of the Senate may end up as an academic exercise which maybe dumped by the Federal Government. He urged them to have an open mind and accommodate the views of everyone.

Senators Solomon Adeola, while contributing, said, the money earmarked for logistics will be enough to repair Kaduna-Abuja road.

He said about N1.08 billion has been budgeted for the repair of Kaduna-Abuja road. He said rather than waste N1.1 billion on logistics during the closure of Abuja Airport, the money should be spend on the repair of Kaduna-Abuja road.

Senator Barnabas Gemade, took a swipe at Julius Berger and accused the construction company of short-changing Nigeria. He said some of the materials expected to be imported into the country by Julius Berger can be sourced locally.

At the end of the discussions, no position was taken by Senate on the issue.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has released a breakdown of cost of logistics. He said the Federal Government is expected to spend about N1.1 billion on security and other logistics.

According to Sirika, the Federal Government will spend N126 million on rail transportation. About N247 million will be given to Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), while the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) will get N358 million. Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will get N325 million. Immigration is to get N29 million.

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