The Managing Director of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Fola Akinkuotu has commended Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Aviation Senator for the successful repair and delivery of the Abuja Airport runway, saying it was a major confidence booster for the air transport sector.
The NAMA boss said by delivering the revamped runway ahead of schedule, the Minister was “sending an unambiguous message to stakeholders and investors, both foreign and local that Nigerian Aviation was ready to do serious business,” adding that “To the travelling public, he is saying, trust government, we can deliver, we can do great things.”
Akinkuotu made these remarks in a chat with newsmen in Lagos, barely two days after the Abuja airport was reopened for business after a six-week closure to enable repair of the its sole and failed runway. During the closure, local and international flights were diverted to the alternate Kaduna International Airport, which was also upgraded to handle large volumes of flights and passengers.
He also applauded the role played by Nasir El-Rufai, the Governor of Kaduna State, Rotimi Amechi, minister of Transportation, Kemi Adeosun, minister of Finance and other cabinet Ministers for their efforts in making the project a success.
His words: “They all showed uncommon leadership here. They rallied everyone behind them. In fact, Sirika worked round the clock. He took nothing for granted. He was on ground in Abuja and in Kaduna all the time. He has been exemplary. That’s why he succeeded.”
Ifeoma Okeke
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
