The Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, has explained why the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport was shut down on Thursday.
In a statement by her Special Assistant of Media, Joe Obi, the minister confirmed that all flights into Abuja have been temporarily suspended till further notice.
The minister’s spokesperson said, “A Saudi Arabian B747 cargo aircraft landed in Abuja last night and veered off at the manoeuvring area of the runway, ran into a maintenance area of the runway and stopped.”
Mr. Obi said flights into Abuja airport were put on hold so as to facilitate evacuation effort on the runway. He said normal operations will resume immediately the aircraft is removed.
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| Passengers stranded at the Abuja airport |
According to the statement, the Group Corporate Communications Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Yakubu Dati, said no casualty was recorded while plans are underway to move the aircraft away following a preliminary assessment visit by Accident Investigation and Prevention Bureau AIPB, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, and other relevant agencies.
The statement also said that the Saudi plane incident was not a plane crash and apologised to travellers and airport users for inconveniences caused. It added that concerted effort was being intensified to remove the obstacle and restore normalcy while the public would be updated as progress is made towards restoring normal operations at the airport.
The airport problem also hindered all planes leaving the Nigerian capital, as the affected runway is believed to be the only standard one.
Already, Arik and Aero, two of the largest domestic airline operators, have cancelled all flights from the Abuja airport on Thursday.
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So this woman still be minister? Bros JONA, U be MU........... EMEX help me complete that WORD.
ReplyDeleteThe woman still dey there?
ReplyDeleteDat woman was supose 2 b sacked. Wat is jona stil keepin her 4? Dat means he is dating d woman. Wen will dis country eva b good?
ReplyDeleteif GEJ sack her, will u ppl replace her. Suppose today's crash occurred, u ppl will still blame an innocent woman knowing fully well dat she is neither the pilot nor cabin crew
ReplyDeleteSenseless comment! And who told you she's the only one in a country with a population as large as that of Nigeria that can get the job done? There are 1001 persons out there who can get the job done much more better without having to acquire themselves amoured cars from public funds!
DeleteYou all have just said my mind. Well, she's Jonathan's minister but surely not that of the federal republic of Nigeria cos as far as Nigerians are concerned, I mean right thinking Nigerians, she's long ceased to exis!
ReplyDeleteWakeup self centered
ReplyDeleteUna complain too much Nobody go good for naija...starting frm past president tilldate.....inec chairman abel gbadier no good moris iwu no good now jega no good aviatio minister no good who go come gud....go apply for the post now may be u go perform.....bcs u are not furtunate to be in that post thats why all of u are talking like this....it is easy to coment but if u become a leader today u will put on another spirit entirely.....una try
ReplyDeleteMouted people go nd remove her now....all of u are coment as if u are the most decent people on earth if anyone of u furtunate to be in that post ur own will be more than worst.....this one is bad that one is bad which one go come gud.....remove this fire wood remove that firewood which one go come cook food done?
ReplyDeleteNa blind people like u still dey drag ds country backward. People wey go see black, talk say na white cos of some 'only God knows why' selfish interests!
DeleteNa only one runway dey Abuja International Airport? why can't we build another functional spare runway to avoid a total shut down in situations like this? So much for the "tranformation" in the Aviation Sector!
ReplyDeleteLets face it, the woman is not qualified for the job and she seems to be managing the situation badly. This mishap may not be her fault, but for Gods sake, how can we have only one runway functional??In the Federal Capital? Lets recognize incompetence for what it is and stop putting up childish and defensive excuses for a minister who is not performing!
ReplyDeleteFor those of us who have been to other airports outside Nigeria, Im sure you would agree that Oduah and all those before her have not managed the Aviation Sector well. Considering the billions they receive annually, How is it that only one runway is functioning? We have the right to critize anyone in power. Why isnt anyone complaining about Fashola or Amaechi? (because they worked hard ...and probably also stole too...but we see them hand work). Lets stop being defensive of a minister that has not done well and is putting thousands of lives in danger by her ineptitude.
ReplyDeleteVery unfortunate criminal like this woman is still in government, 9ja government is funny.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what she's still doing there? I a sane society she'll have sep aside but never in Nigeria. remember Farouk, Alams, etc
ReplyDeleteGo hug transformer
ReplyDelete