Minister of State, Aviation, Sen.
Hadi Sirika, has again said the check on former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s
aircraft at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja on Sunday, is in line
with international aviation best practices.
Sirika said this in Abuja on
Monday in a statement by Mr James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press and Public
Affairs, Ministry of Transportation (Aviation).
He also said that his earlier
statement on the issue was not driven by any political consideration, as being
wrongly interpreted by a section of Nigerians.
The minister explained that the
statement was informed by professional and industry practice as regulated by
the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
According to him, it should be
noted that such checks as carried out on the former Vice President’s aircraft
are mandatory and routine, and that no one is exempted, except the President, Vice-President
and visiting Presidents.
“According to the National Civil
Aviation Security Programme, exemption from the primary inspection and
screening process at the airport central screening points are extended to the
following persons when traveling on official business: Visiting Head of State
and entourage, the President and entourage, and the Vice President and
entourage.
“The ICAO security programme also
requires that ministers and senior government officials are screened in the
same manner as other passengers as they are expected to set examples for the
traveling public and to the aviation security officials responsible for
screening passengers.
“It is a routine practice that
all incoming aircraft and passengers on international flights must go through
customs, immigration, health, security and money laundering checks.
“The general public is therefore
assured that the ministry and its agencies would always accord the desired
respect to the nation’s leaders, just as they are committed to ensuring the
entrenchment of safety and security at the nation’s airports without political
considerations,” he said.
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Senator Hadi, God bless you for responding maturely to this without any oita of political colouration. Let others learn from you how to respond to issues of national interest. I admire your response, please keep it up.
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