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Tag: Hadi Sirika

  • FG assures of seamless operation at Kaduna airport

    FG assures of seamless operation at Kaduna airport

    The Federal Government on Monday announced its readiness to ensure seamless operation at Kaduna International Airport as Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja closes on March 8 for runway repairs.

    The Minster of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, disclosed this during a World News Conference organided by the ministry in Abuja.

    The news conference featured the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahi Idris.

    The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, was also represented at the news conference.

    Mohammed said the Acting President had inspected Kaduna airport and the rail station to ascertain the level of readiness to ensure smooth operation during the six-week closure period.

    He said that the summary of the findings during the inspection was that even though the airport might not be 100 per cent ready, its current state was suitable enough for the operation.

    The minister also disclosed that the repair work on the Abuja-Kaduna highway had been completed to ensure smooth passage for Abuja bound passengers.

    “As you are all aware, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja will shut from the midnight of Tuesday March 7 to the Wednesday March 8 for the purpose of repairing the failed portion of the airport runway.

    “During that time, Abuja flights will be diverted to Kaduna.

    “On Friday, the Acting President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo inspected the Kaduna airport and the railway station to ascertain the state of readiness.

    “The summary of the finding is that while the airport may not be 100 per cent ready, by the time Abuja airport is shut, it will indeed be suitable enough,’’ he said.

    Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, said the government had concluded arrangements to provide free transportation service for Abuja-bound passengers to and from Kaduna.

    Amaechi said that the train services would be rearranged to suit the flight schedules at Kaduna airport, adding that the train would be coming from Kaduna instead of the current arrangement.

    He said the Kaduna airport runway was in perfect shape, adding that it was a portion of the terminal building that was yet to be completed as at Friday.

    According to him, the work was nearing completion as at that day and the contractor promised to deliver it before the deadline.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sirika, craved the indulgence of air travelers to bear with the government on the closure.

    He said that the decision was for safety reasons, which is the key word in aviation sector.

    The minister said the part of the Kaduna airport terminal building had been completed as at this morning, adding that much work had been done to ensure smooth operation.

    According to him, the ministry has provided a dedicated website (www.abujaairportclosure.info) to update airport users on the operations at Kaduna during the period.

    Sirika said the government had no other option than to shut the Abuja airport runway considering the level of dilapidation that had made it to fail completely.

    He said that Kaduna airport would remain a seasonal international airport even after the six weeks period until it met the requirements to be a designated international airport.

    According to him, Ethiopian Airline is the only foreign airline that has expressed its readiness to fly the airport so far but at the end we expect more to operate the airport.

    The minister reiterated the government’s plan to concession all the airports for efficiency beginning from the big four such as Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

    “We have already concluded the arrangement for the appointment of transaction adviser that will commence work in a matter of weeks,’’ he said.

    The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Idris, assured that the police had made adequate security plans to ensure seamless operation between Abuja and Kaduna airports.

    Idris said the police force had enough capacity and capability to carry out efficient surveillance on the road, the rail line and air during the six weeks.

    According to him, he was in Kaduna on Sunday to conduct assessment of security in the airport, on the road and the rail at Jere and Idu stations.

    “In the whole, our deployment on the ground is perfect because we have the various units of the Nigeria Police Force in charge of specialized units.

    “We have the force Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), we have the force animals in charge of dogs; we have the patrolling team and the mobile force as well as the air wing.

    “As I stated, all the units are deployed fully on ground,’’ he said.

     

  • Kaduna Airport ready for international operations – FAAN, NAMA

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) say the Kaduna International Airport is now set for international operations.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, said the organisation has installed all safety equipment needed for the operation.

    “All the things we need for international operations are on ground. What is important actually is the safety equipment for the landing of the aircraft.

    “We have seen the runway is good, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been installed and the terminal building is ready.

    “The contractor has been directed by the Acting President to redouble his effort so that the remaining items of work that are remaining should be completed before the commencement of the international operations in Kaduna.

    “I think this is one of the luckiest airports; they have five generators as standby power supply. So we have more than enough,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Mr. Fola Akinkuotu, Managing Director of NAMA, said once the Abuja Airport was closed, NAMA would deploy the mobile tower from the airport to Kaduna to complement what is already on ground.

    He said that NAMA management had certified the capability of Kaduna Airport, adding that its engineers have done a good job on it.

     “As far as this (Kaduna) airport is concerned, NAMA management, we are very satisfied that we have done a good job.

    “At the inception of the project, the ILS (Instrument Landing System) was not accessible but as of today, I can tell you that not only have we installed a brand new ILS, we have also calibrated it.

    “We have a calibration certificate from a UK concern.

    “On the facilities for landing, like I said, the ILS which comprises the glide scope and localizer have been calibrated and they have been found satisfactory like 10 on 10.

    “Apart from that, we also have the approach light that actually complement and make sure that they have the ILS,’’ he said.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, announced the use of the Kaduna airport as alternative for the Abuja airport that would be closed for six weeks for repairs of its runway.

     

  • Shocking find by Osinbajo at the Lagos Airport

    Shocking find by Osinbajo at the Lagos Airport

    If officials of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, knew of Thursday’s surprise visit by the Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, they probably would have ensured that he didn’t get to see the true state of disrepair of facilities at the nation’s gateway.

    Osinbajo and his team however caught the officials unawares  with the unscheduled visit and insisted on seeing what was ‘working’ and what was not ‘working’ at the airport.

    The Ag. President checked out the toilets, noticed some of the non-functioning carousels in the arrival hall and went to Immigration officials to check the progress of plans to grant visa on arrivals to foreign investors.

    He observed the non-functioning air-conditioners and chillers in the Departure and Arrival halls, the escalators and elevators that are in a state of disrepair among several others.

    Speaking briefly with the press after inspecting several parts at the airport for over an hour, Prof. Osinbajo said  “as part of our work on the Ease of Doing Business, on making the environment friendly, not just for local businesses but also for those who want to come and do business in Nigeria, the airport obviously is one of the major places where we need to ensure that facilities are working and that things are being run properly.”

    “ So we have looked around, we’ve seen some of the equipments. There are many many things that need to be done, many things that need to be corrected, and we have to work on them as quickly as possible.”

    He was accompanied on the trip by the Aviation Minister of State Hadi Sirika.

  • 2017 Budget: Reps reject Aviation Ministry’s budget defense

    2017 Budget: Reps reject Aviation Ministry’s budget defense

    Ministry of Aviation’s 2017 budget estimates is at a risk of not being considered unless a comprehensive presentation was made to the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation within 48 hours.

    This is because officials of the Ministry failed to satisfactorily defend some expenditures of the Ministry in the 2016 budget document.

    Defense of a preceding year’s budget is a condition for the consideration and adoption of the budget estimates of the current fiscal year.

    Meanwhile, Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika has disclosed that the process for the closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja is complete, adding that Kaduna State  is also ready for the expected  human and  vehicular traffic upsurge during the period.

    At the Ministry’s budget session Thursday, Director of Finance, Akin Ijiwole failed to convince the Nkeiruka Onyejeocha-led Aviation Committee on how N407m was committed to a N700m project but had zero performance recorded in the budget document.

    In addition, while the Committee expressed concern over budget releases, budget performance and physical development, it questioned the rationale behind the completion of 22 capital projects out of 98 while 28 projects out of 32 were completed for Overhead.

    The Committee also sought explanation for the release of N25m out of N320m for Enugu Airport control tower with fiscal year running out.

    The Committee wondered if the project would not end up as another abandoned project.

    Onyejeocha said: “There is an urgent need to discuss procedures for making the aviation sector self-sustaining in line with the stance on diversification.

    “The aviation sector is of enormous importance to our nation and matters concerning expenditure and revenue projections require careful consideration to reap the benefits the sector has to offer”.

    In his response, Sirika said the decision of the government was to complete all abandoned projects, which was the reason behind the mobilisation of contractors that have abandoned several projects across the country, citing Enugu and Port Harcourt Airports

    On the closure of Abuja Airport, he said, “We have done all we can, the process for closure of the airport is compete.

    “Even on security, we have constituted a Security Committee headed by an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) with high ranking military and other security agencies officers as members.

    “Their mandate is to provide maximum security on the Abuja-Kaduna road for the users of the road.

    “The government of Kaduna State is also ready for the closure by offering to repair a section of the road leading to the Kaduna Airport, in addition to enhancing the road with street lights and cleared bush.

    “The State will also construct a bye pass route for users of the airport to avoid heavy traffic within the town.

    “The government has also assured that other auxiliary services are ready with provision of restaurants and others.”

    However, when asked to break down the figure in the budget document, Director of Finance, Ijiwole failed to convince the Committee with his explanation.

    This led the Committee to warn that the consideration of the Ministry’s 2017 budget would be affected unless full information on the real percentage of project completion as well as a comprehensive and comprehensible budget estimates presentation was made to it within 48 hours.

  • Abuja Airport Closure: FG assures 24 hours security

    Abuja Airport Closure: FG assures 24 hours security

    The Federal Government has said that it will ensure that road; rail and air space between Abuja and Kaduna are water-tight during the closure and repairs of Abuja airport runway.

    Abuja airport runway will be shut for repairs between March 8 to April 18, 2017.

    During the six weeks closure, Kaduna airport will be used for passenger operation

    This was disclosed in Abuja Thursday by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika during the inauguration of the Security Sub-Committee on the Abuja airport runway closure.

    Highlighting the functions of the Committee, he said: “you will note that there is so much hype in our media recently over the proposed closure and repair works to be carried out on the Abuja runway and the perceived security threats on the roads, and rails to Kaduna.

    “You are to provide security at the Abuja and Kaduna airport including road, air and rail transportation, monitor traffic movement from Abuja to Kaduna airport, and provide security to passengers and cargo between Abuja to Kaduna.

    Continuing, he said: “You are required to ensure the safety of lives and property of passengers and other citizens during this period by enhancing your security activities.

    “I hope that this committee will live up to its bidding by making sure that with six weeks period of closure, security should be water-tight for the massive movement of passengers, cargo, luggage and other logistics to and from Kaduna”.

    Sirika also charged members of the Committee to be proactive on any security challenge.

    The committee will be Chaired by Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Alkali Baba and has Director of Safety and Technical Policy, Office of the National Security Adviser, Department of State and Security Services, Nigeria Air Force, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration, FAAN Aviation Security and department of Air Transport management as members.

    Responding, the chairman of the Sub-Committee, AIG Baba assured: “there will be air surveillance, motorised patrol, and we will provide the rail tracks with necessary security from Abuja to Kaduna.

    On logistics needed to ensure the desired security, he said: “We require patrol vehicles and the vehicles will need to be fueled, serviced and we require dry ration for officers who will be on special duty and other things.

    On the present security situation in Southern Kaduna and on whether it will pose threat to passengers, Baba said: “we are assuring Nigerians that we will provide adequate security throughout the movement? We are going to provide security 24 hours throughout the period”.

  • Senate, minister’s parley on Abuja Airport repairs deadlocked

    … Project to gulp N5.8bn

    The interaction between the Senate and Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, on the proposed closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, ended in deadlock on Thursday.

    The Senate president, Bukola Saraki, said discussion on the matter resumes will next Tuesday.

    The inability of Sirika to give the Senate the exact cost of the repair works made the Senate to ask the minister to come back with the vital information on Tuesday.

    Sirika, Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, that of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Bello Mohammed, Chief of Air Staff, Managing Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and others were invited by the Senate to furnish the upper chamber with detailed explanation on why the airport will be closed for six weeks.

    Sirika told the lawmakers that the Federal Government planned to fix the airport dilapidated runway.

    Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, asked Sirika to furnish the Senate with the cost of the repair work and the cost of ferrying passengers from Kaduna to Abuja during the closure of airport.

    Ekweremadu said, “Mr. Minister, can you please give us the cost of the repair works and the breakdown of the financial cost?  Specifically how much you intend to spend in conveying passengers from Kaduna Airport to Abuja during the closure of Abuja Airport? We need to know.”

    The minister put the cost of the project at N5.8 billion.

     

     

  • We are ready for flight diversion to Kaduna – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Friday declared the state’s commitment to smooth flight operations at the Kaduna International Airport, following proposed diversion of flights to the airport from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    El-Rufai, who stated this when the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika visited him in Kaduna, commended the Federal Government for choosing Kaduna.

    The minister was in the state to access the readiness of the airport to receive influx of flight traffic when the Abuja airport is eventually shutdown.

    The governor stressed that the state has put machinery in motion for smooth flight operations at the airport.

    He said, “We are delighted for the choice of Kaduna International Airport by the Federal Government to divert traffic from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport as a result of the proposed repairs of its runway, to Kaduna airport.

    “We have put in motion processes and activities towards making federal government decision a success.

    “I want to assure all Nigerians and the international community, particularly stakeholders in the aviation industry that Kaduna State will rise up to the occasion.”

     

  • Update: Buhari okays arms for airport security

    Update: Buhari okays arms for airport security

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the use of arms and ammunitions by airport security personnel across the country.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed this to State House correspondents at the end of the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of the year chaired by President Buhari.

    He was with the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina.

    He said: “We are very serious about aviation security, just last week the President approved that aviation security should bear arms. So we are trying to make them take the form and shape of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the US with K-9 dogs, handcuffs, the guards, the batons and light weapons.

    “The minister of interior is helping us in that regard with the directive of Mr. President. They are partnering with us and other stakeholders to keep our airports secure.

    “All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders meeting.”

    He disclosed that FEC on Wednesday also approved the completion of Kaduna airport terminal building.

    According to him, the contract was first awarded in 2011 while it commenced in 2012.

    Sirika added: “During the rehabilitation of the terminal building a contractor noticed some structural damages to the building itself and then increased the scope of what to be done to put it to use and that necessitated the variation of contract sum.

    “The cost of variation is in excess of 15 percent, it had to go to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for approval anticipation, that was approved and they went to BPP.

    “So we brought it to council today to ratify and of course taking into cognizance the exchange rate and inflation that has increased the cost of completion of the terminal building.

    “Council has approved the completion of that terminal building and it will be completed in six months. The contractor has accepted to work within that six months.

    “The cost is up from N500 million plus to N1.1billion plus. This is just for the terminal buildings and not the run way.”

     

  • Abuja airport to be closed from March 8

    The Federal Government will close the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja, for six weeks from March 8 to repair its runway, the aviation ministry said on Tuesday.

    The government had earlier said the six weeks closure would begin in February.

    The decision to shut the airport and divert Abuja-bound flights to Kaduna, an airport used primarily for domestic flights about 160 km (100 miles) to the north, was taken after airlines threatened to stop flying to the capital, Reuters reported.

    But a statement issued on Tuesday, which said the Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, would discuss the matter with stakeholders, said the “proposed closure” would start on March 8.

    No reason was given for the change of date.

     

  • Abuja airport to be closed next year

    The Minister of Aviation for State, Mr. Hadi Sirika, on Monday disclosed that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, will be closed between February and March next year.

    The closure, according to the minister will enable a construction company, Julius Berger Plc carry out total re-construction work on the badly damaged airport runway.

    Briefing journalists in Abuja after an inspection of the runway, the minister said the runway will still be put to use during the six months rehabilitation work.

    He added that the airport will be shut for six weeks between February and March, 2017 when the mid- section of the runway would be reconstructed.