The Senate yesterday ended a marathon debate on the planned closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja but failed to persuade the executive arm of government to reverse it.
After the debate that lasted for two legislative sittings, the Senate, in a decision read out by its Deputy President, Ike Ekweremadu, who presided over the session declared: “The Senate prefers segmented repairs on the runway of the airport to avoid total closure. However, the minister of transportation could take decision based on technical advice provided by various stakeholders.”
Since the Senate has failed to push through the option of a partial closure of the airport or the use of the airport in Niger State, passengers who use the Abuja airport have to brace themselves for the inconveniences of going to Kaduna before getting to the federal capital. Aviation authorities whose revenues will be affected may have to also rejig their operations at the Abuja airport.
