By Sade Williams
The Federal government said on Tuesday that the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, will be shut down beginning from midnight of Wednesday, March 8, 2017, and not Tuesday March 7, 2017.
James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Press & Public Affairs, Ministyry of Aviation said in a statement on Tuesday morning that Stakeholders in the Aviation sector and the general public should note that the Abuja airport remains open for operations until the midnight of Wednesday, March 8, 2017.
He said government has also concluded all arrangements for the complimentary transportation of passengers to and from Kaduna as soon as the Abuja Airport shuts down for operations, adding that this is in line with the approval of President Muhammadu Buhari to mitigate the discomfort of air passengers resulting from the closure.
“As part of the arrangements, and for security reasons, there will be an initial screening of passengers and luggage at the Abuja Airport which is the departure point for the buses, while screening for boarding will be done at the Kaduna airport. Government will also set up contact points at the Idu and Kubwa railway stations for those opting to travel by rail to Kaduna.
“However, in order to properly identify genuine passengers, government has decided that only those with valid air tickets and / or Boarding Passes will be allowed on the buses or travel by train at government expenses.
“Minister of State for Aviation wishes to once again appeal to the public to understand that decision to shut down the Abuja Airport has been taken in the overall public interest, and in line with government stand on enhancing the safety and security of the nation’s airport and, of course, the flying public”, he said.
