The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Sen. Hadi Sirika

  • FG to revisit national carrier project, says Sirika

    Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Aviation on Monday said that plans were underway by the Federal Government to revisit the national carrier project.

    The minister made this known while defending the ministry’s budget before the Senate Committee on Aviation in Abuja.

    He said that the ministry only suspended the project to put adequate measures in place, promising that the project would be delivered soon.

    He said the project, which was President Muhammadu Buhari’s brainchild would not be allowed to die.

    He expressed concern that despite being a huge aviation market, Nigeria could not boast of a national carrier.

    He said; “We have to suspend the earlier plans for the national carrier for strategic reasons. The move was not killed.

    ”Provisions have to be made to continue to fund activities of advisers and so on, to ensure that it is delivered.

    ”The carrier will be delivered within the life of this administration, this I can assure you.

    ”It is not forgotten by government. It will continue and we are doing everything we can to deliver it,” he said.

    The minister, however, stated that the carrier would not be funded solely by government.

    ”It is Public Private Partnership (PPP). The private sector will lead and deliver while the government will play its role.

    “Viability funding is also being addressed. After that, then the full business case which is the implementation stage. It is at that point that it will be advertised for people to come in and participate,” he said.

    He said that the process would be transparently done through local and international fora and media.

    He added that anybody who was interested in getting in information on funds spent and other processes was free to do so, stressing that the ministry would be willing to respond.

    The minister lamented that besides the huge revenue loss due to absence of a national carrier, Nigerians still pay exorbitantly to use air carriers belonging to other countries.

    According to him, one of the major ways to save Nigerians of exorbitant airfares is to have a national carrier.

    ”When I was in the House of Representatives in 2006, we did invite British Airways to discus and the answer we got was that they charge exorbitantly because Nigerians can afford it.

    “They charge these fees without corresponding challenge. It is very difficult for the ministry to tell entrepreneurs what they should charge.

    “This is the whole importance of having a national carrier. It is about competition. Nigerians are highly mobile people with very huge businesses. You find out that the first class and business class is always full,’’ he said.

    Read also: Sirika, 400 delegates for NUATE conference

    The Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation, Sen. Adamu Aliero, commended the minister for his efforts at repositioning the aviation sector.

    He, however, said that the sector was capable of generating huge revenue for the country if well positioned.

    He advised the minister to engage more often with critical stakeholders including the National Assembly for advice in carrying out his mandate.

    He further advised agencies under the ministry to be up and doing in securing the lives of Nigerians, who often use air transport as well as ensuring that they complied with international best practices.

  • FG approves upgrade of Benin Airport to Int’l standard

    FG approves upgrade of Benin Airport to Int’l standard

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has said that the Federal Government has approved the upgrade of the Benin Airport to international standard with a cargo terminal.

    The minister disclosed this during his courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Benin City, Edo State, on Monday.

    Sirika said the approval was due to the fact the Benin Airport is one of the oldest airports in Nigeria and that the zone needs a standard international airport to serve its growing economic interests.

    He added that the airport will be fitted with necessary facilities within 12-months, as part of the plans to upgrade it to an international standard.

    He said that “Plans have been concluded to upgrade landing system with adequate radio equipment that will enable the Airport handle both day and night operations, even in adverse weather conditions.

    “There are plans to also extend the runway at the Benin Airport to enable it handle high volume of traffic with capacity to accommodate cargo planes.”

    Sirika further said, “Aviation connects businesses, trade, cultures, nations and people. With a standard airport in place, it becomes easy to achieve economic growth and development. We will work with Edo State Government to ensure that within the next 12 months, Benin Airport will become an International Standard Airport with all the necessary aviation equipment in place.”

    Governor Obaseki expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for the effort to make the Benin Airport an International Airport, noting, “This is the most astonishing news I have heard as a governor this year.”

    He said the federal government has shown commitment to support efforts to industrialise the state.

    According to him, “Our hope is that all the economic activities that will be generated from this critical investment will drive commence across the state and the country”.

    He said his administration has taken giant stride to establish Benin Industrial Park, Gelegele Sea Port and other laudable investments.

    “The effort this administration has made since assuming office is gradually paying off with the assurance coming from the Minister that in a couple of months, work will commence in Benin Airport to upgrade it to international standard,” Obaseki said.

    He added, “This administration is working hard to transform Edo State to an economic hub. What is missing is rail transport linking the state with other parts of the country. The upgrade of the Benin Airport to international standard will complement our strategic geographical location.”

  • FG to procure 20 aircraft for aviation college

    FG to procure 20 aircraft for aviation college

    The Federal Government is to procure 20 aircraft to make Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria a centre of excellence, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation, has said.

    NCAT took delivery of a brand new Dimond DA24NG.

    The minister, who disclosed this at the launch of the new aircraft in  Zaria on said that the new aircraft would improve the training capacity of the college.

    He observed that the current aircraft in use were highly expensive to maintain, adding that the college would now be more competitive and dynamic in the global aviation industry.

    Sirika lauded the efforts of the management of the college especially for introducing courses in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

    “I am aware of efforts by NCAT to run National Diploma and Higher National Diploma, be rest assured, you will have our full support and that of the president.”

    The minister charged staff of the college to seek for more knowledge in view of the fact that the world had changed from resource based economy to knowledge-based.

    Earlier, the Rector of the college, Capt. Abdussalami Mohammed said currently there were 29 trainer aircraft in the college.

    “These aircraft used for ab-initio training TB9, Trinidad TB20GT and Beech Baron 58 are old, the earliest being purchased 15 years ago and quite expensive to fuel and maintain,’’ he said.

    The rector said the new trainer aircraft would significantly improve the flight training experience and reduce operating cost.

    He added that the newly acquired aircraft was equipped with glass cockpit and garmin 1000, which would make it easier for graduating pilots to transit to new generation commercial aircraft.

  • Abuja runway completion credit to Buhari govt – Minister

    The timely completion of the Abuja International Airport runway has confirmed that “Nigerians elected a responsive, responsible and capable federal government”, under President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said this on Wednesday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in a statement signed by his Special Adviser, Mr Segun Adeyemi.

    The completion of reconstruction of the Nnamikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and run way paved the way for the re-opening of the airport, after a six-week closure. And it was done ahead of schedule.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika had vowed to resign his appointment as minister in the event that the deadline for the reconstruction was not met by the contractors handling the project.

    The reopening of the airport for air operations came a day before the expiration of the official deadline and the first airline to land at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was the Ethiopian Airlines which relocated to Kaduna Airport after Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was shut down.

    The minister said that the delivery of the project even before the scheduled date showed government’s ability to live up to its promise and rise up to any occasion, irrespective of how daunting the challenge may be.

    He described as “a remarkable achievement” the ability of the government to complete the reconstruction of the runway within the stipulated time, despite doomsday predictions.

    “The clock-work precision with which everything concerning the closure of the airport and the temporary relocation to the Kaduna Airport was handled is the clearest indication yet that Nigeria can tackle any challenge,” he said.

    He noted that the rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna road, the provision of effective security along the highway showed that
    Nigerians have what it takes to make the country a proud member of the comity of nations.

    Mohammed also hailed the perfect handling of the massive logistics involved in ensuring that the Kaduna Airport
    was able to handle a large number of flights.

    “It is to the credit of the security agencies and the Federal Road Safety Corps that passengers travelling along the ever-busy
    Abuja-Kaduna highway were largely kept safe while the closure of the Abuja airport lasted.

    “There was no known security scare while accidents on the road were kept at the barest minimum, despite the increased vehicular traffic.

    “Who can forget the timely departure and arrival of the Abuja-Kaduna train that ferried thousands of passengers
    back and forth during the Abuja airport closure?

    “Indeed, the closure of the Abuja airport runway and the logistic nightmare it triggered must rank among the most intimidating
    challenges faced by this Administration,” he said.

    The Minister reminded those who might want to trivialize the feat by the present government to realize that what could not be done in the over 30 years the runway was left to deteriorate was achieved in just six weeks, even under an economic recession.

    He also recalled that the Port Harcourt International Airport was closed for almost two years by the Jonathan administration.

    Mohammed thanked Nigerians for enduring the inconveniences that came with the relocation of Abuja flights to Kaduna.

    He also thanked the Ethiopian Airlines that operated its scheduled Abuja flights to Kaduna and the Julius Berger construction company that worked day and night to deliver the project ahead of schedule.

    Mohammed said the success recorded in the timely reconstruction of the runway could only rank next to the determined effort with which the government contained the Boko Haram insurgency.

    The minister noted that the current administration under the stewardship of President Muhammadu Buhari  was employing the same uncommon determination to tackle all the challenges facing the country.

     

     

  • Air Peace resumes Abuja flights, commends FG

    Air Peace resumes Abuja flights, commends FG

    Air Peace has announced the resumption of all its flights into and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja starting from Wednesday, April 19, 2017.

    A statement issued by the carrier’s Corporate Communications Manager, Mr. Chris Iwarah on Monday commended air travellers for keeping faith with the airline and making a huge sacrifice to ensure repair of the bad portions of the runway of the Abuja airport.

    The airline also praised the Federal Government and the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika for ensuring speedy completion of the repair work on the runway of the facility.

    “We are pleased to announce resumption of all our flights into and out of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport with effect from Wednesday, April 19, 2017.

    “The Federal Government shut the facility to traffic on March 8 to enable a six-week repair of its runway and diverted all Abuja-bound flights to the Kaduna International Airport.

    “We considered the decision of the Federal Government to shut down the airport for quick repair of its runway in tandem with the high safety standards of our flight operations. At Air Peace, the safety our esteemed guests is our first rule of business. We do not compromise on that for any reason.

    “Although the decision to shut the facility to traffic came with huge costs, for us, nothing compares with safety. We are also aware that our numerous guests and the entire travelling public had to make a lot of sacrifice to enable the repair of the runway possible and wish to commend them for their understanding and cooperation.

    “We also wish to express our sincere gratitude to the Federal Government, the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and the contractors for delivering on their promise to ensure completion of the repairs within schedule. The repair of the runway has further intensified our enthusiasm to deliver the best flight experience to our valued guests in a very safe atmosphere. Our Abuja schedules are live once again and we promise to give the best of air travel services as we resume our flight operations in the Federal Capital Territory,” Air Peace said.

     

     

  • Minister installs countdown clock at Abuja airport

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika has installed a countdown clock at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to mount pressure on contractors to meet the six weeks deadline.

    This is in fulfillment of his promise to install the clock to remind contractors that the April 19 reopening date of the airport would not be extended.

    Sirika said the clock was a sign of seriousness and commitment of government to ensuring that the programme of work was followed by contractors, and remind to them that time was of essence.

    According to his twitter @hadisirika, the countdown clock installed at the gate of Abuja airport to remind and pressure contractors to deliver in 6 weeks.

    When the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) visited the airport on Wednesday, the clock was displayed, “13 days: 13 hours: 24 minutes: 40 seconds” to the reopening of the airport.

    One of the clocks was installed at the access gate (toll gate), the second one at the entry of the terminal and the third in the main hall.

    However, the contractor handling the runway has achieved an appreciable progress in the rehabilitation work while the electrical installations on the runway were being done.

    Sirika also announced on his twitter handle that the rehabilitation work had reached 75 per cent as at Tuesday night.

    “Happy to announce we are at 75% completion of Abuja airport rehabilitation. Programme of work is running as outlined,” he said.

    NAN reports that the Federal Government shut the Abuja airport on March 8 for six weeks, to enable Julius Berger to carry out much needed repair on the failed 3.6 km runway.

    The runway was said to have been in use for 35 years without any major rehabilitation and proper maintenance as against the original 20-year life span.

     

  • FG sacks nine NCAA directors

    The Federal Government on Friday approved the sack of all the directors in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) with immediate effect.

    In all, nine directors were shown the exit by the Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, after the approval by the federal government.

    Those affected by the purge are – Alhaji Salawu Ozigi (Director of Finance and Accounts), Dr. Joyce Nkemakolam (Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards), Barr. Aba Ejembi (Director of Administration) and Mr. Emmanuel Ogunbami (Director of Licensing).

    Others are – Engr. Benedict Adeyileka (Director of Airworthiness), Mr. Justus Wariya (Director of Air Transport Regulation), Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi (Director of Consumer Protection), Capt. Ayodele Sasegbon (Director of General Aviation) and Mr. Austin-Amadi Ifeanyi (Director of Human Resources).

    The affected directors were immediately ordered to handover to the next in command in their various directorates who will in the interim take charge of activities in their directorates.

    The General Manager, Public Affairs, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, confirmed the development, but declined to give more information on the matter.

    He simply replied that he was aware of the directors’ sack, adding that they were all political appointees.

    “It is true that all the directors have been disengaged, but I don’t have details of their disengagement,” he said.

     

     

  • Abuja airport runway, disaster waiting to happen, Minister warns

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has warned that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, runway has totally failed and is a disaster waiting to happen.

    Sirika gave the warning when he received the Coalition for Civil Society Group on Friday in Abuja.

    He said the government was determine to ensure safety and avoid disaster in the sector, adding that closure of the airport for six week remained the only viable option.

    The minister said that many critical stakeholders in the industry including Council for the Regulation of Engineering (COREN) had agreed with the decision of the government.

    According to him, the Nigerian Society of Engineers was the only body that had opposed the decision.

    Sirika, however, said that the aerodrome engineers in the society agreed with government’s decision to close the airport to avert disaster.

    “The Abuja airport runway is completely damaged, the entire structure and the architecture is gone and the runway has failed and it is just a disaster waiting to happen.

    “No matter what it is, I will not sit back and fold my arms and watch disaster unfold while I superintend.

    “I believe that it is an executive function which should be carried out and I believe also that we should be responsible for our actions and inactions.

    “If I don’t do anything it becomes inaction and will be equal to disaster.

    “If I act appropriately to save it, I will be meeting the expectations of the person who appointed me and of course the expectation of the Nigerian people that we serve,’’ he said.
    The minister asked the members of civil society groups with engineering background to examine the runway and possibly carry out integrity test on it to ascertain its condition.

    He said that different options recommended by different stakeholders were not good options to be considered based on the deplorable nature of the runway.

    According to him, the path we have chosen is a path that for us is the only way to rehabilitate that runway.

    “It is a job of six months with the procurement start to finish but within these six months, there will be six weeks closure of the runway.

    “We will close it and we will be working day and night to ensure that we deliver the project and it will be six weeks and six weeks no more.

    “We have done some study and found out that, 90 per cent of people who are coming into Abuja may probably travel only once within six weeks, and may be only one per cent travel every other day or daily.

    “Another two per cent who travel every week but some may not even travel at all in six weeks.

    “This statistic is generous enough to say that 90 per cent travel once in six week and this statistic is proven and we chose Kaduna as alternate airport,’’ he said.

    The minister also called on the civil society groups to always cross check their fact before commenting on important national issues.

    He refuted the claim by the Centre for Joint Action Against Poverty and Underdevelopment in Africa (CJAAPDA), a civil society organisation that he was one of the underperforming ministers in the country.

    Earlier, the President of the group, Mr Bassey Atuk, told the minister that their visit was to find out the happenings in the aviation sector, stressing that the sector was critical to the national development.

    Etuk said the group also demanded explanation on the basis for the N5.8 billion for the rehabilitation and repair of the Abuja airport runway and diversion of flight to Kaduna.

    He, however, pledged the group’s support for the government on the closure of the Abuja airport for the repair of its runway.

    “We came to find out because the Ministry of Aviation is critical to us and our people yearn to know what is happening in the sector.

    “Perhaps, the minister should educate, not just the civil society but the generality of Nigerian people on the controversial N5.8 billion for the repair of Abuja Airport runway.

    “We also need to know the programmes and projects of the ministry in 2017 budget about the deplorable state of our airports,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • FG approves weapons for Aviation Security

    FG approves weapons for Aviation Security

    The Federal Government has approved that the Aviation Security personnel should bear arms to enhance the security of passengers and installations across the nation’s airports.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, stated this when he briefed State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting, which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said that his ministry would partner with the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders in the training of the affected Aviation Security personnel in arms’ handling.

    “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 TSA of the US with K-9 dogs, handcuffs, the guards, the batons, light weapons, etc.

    “The Minister of Interior is helping us in that regard from the directive of Mr President to partner with them and other stakeholders to ensure we keep our airports secure.

    “So, very soon you will them with uniform, doing different functions and securing our airports.

    “All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders meeting,’’ he said.

    The minister also disclosed that the council approved N1.1 billion for the completion of the Kaduna International Airport Terminal building.

    He said the contract for the rehabilitation of the building was initially awarded in 2011 at the cost of about N500 million.

    He said the contractor noticed some structural damages to the building which necessitated the variation of the contract sum to the N1.1 billion.

    “FEC has approved the completion of Kaduna terminal building. It was awarded in 2011 and commenced in 2012.

    “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 the contract sum.

    “The cost of variation is in excess of 15 per cent, 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 cognisance 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.’’

    On how to manage the closure of Abuja airport and construction of Kaduna airport terminal building, Sirika stated the rehabilitation work would not hinder flight operations.

    “There is another elaborate terminal robust enough to take the passengers for the operation of six weeks.

    “It will not stop them also from working. It may be also a bonus likely if the contractor is able to run through and finish before March.

    “But, whether it finishes or not it will not affect the operations because there are enough buildings to carry out the operations of the airport.’’

  • Minister to meet stakeholders over Abuja Airport

    Minister to meet stakeholders over Abuja Airport

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, will on Thursday engage the Industry’s Stakeholders on issues arising from the proposed closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for repairs on its runway.

    Sirika disclosed this in a statement issued by Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation on Monday in Abuja.

    He said the meeting was a follow-up to the decision of the Federal Government to temporarily shut down operations at the airport for six weeks in February and March.

    According to the minister, the Stakeholders’ Forum will afford him with the opportunity to officially inform the sector’s players of the decision.

    “It is also to brief them on efforts being made to ensure that the use of the Kaduna International Airport as an alternative during the six-Week closure of the Abuja Airport is seamless and hitch-free.

    “The Stakeholders will also be expected to make their contributions and key into the plans to make their operations during the period less problematic,” he said.

    Sirika, however, emphasised that the Forum was in line with government’s belief in ventilating people’s opinions in formulating and executing policies.

    He said that government 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.

    He explained that the decision was informed by safety and security concerns, saying that government would rather lose billions of dollars in revenue than to risk lives.

    The minister also disclosed that the ministry would invite other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as security agencies and the Kaduna State Government who were expected to play roles during the six-week period.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the minister had in December revealed government plans to shut down the airport while briefing newsmen on its efforts toward addressing the challenges of aviation fuel.