FG reverses ban on choppers over Abuja

THE federal government has reversed the ban on shuttle helicopter flights between Abuja and Kaduna which had been in effect since the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Munguno had instituted the ban, stopping operators from cashing in on the closure of the Abuja airport to ferry passengers from Abuja to Kaduna to board flights to other parts of the country and outside.

Answering questions on the issues after Wednesday’s meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed that the NSA made the decision to allow helicopters to operate but should avoid no fly zones.

He said: “On the helicopter issue, the National Security Adviser has the constitutional responsibility vested on him by his Excellency, Mr President, to advise the President on national security matters.

“Within his wisdom, he had earlier on sent out letters banning the helicopters operation into the airport but the National Security Adviser has earlier this morning decided that helicopters will of course continue to fly to Abuja airport from wherever.

“Then, the procedure that they will use to approach the airport under landing spot will be advised accordingly before the end of today.

“Which means that helicopters can come into Abuja and out bearing in mind that within the metropolitan city of Abuja, there are no fly zones and this is very normal in every country.

“They are areas where there are no fly zones but the National Security Adviser this morning approved that helicopters should enter Abuja airport and out but the procedures in which helicopters should enter into Abuja and the spot which the helicopters will land will be advised in due course and it shall be before the end of today.”

Sirika expressed satisfaction that airline operations in Kaduna were going on at Kaduna Airport following the closure of Abuja and therefore appealed to airlines which are avoiding the place to move into the airport.

He said government had begun implementing what it said it would do and urged Nigerians to be patience within the period.

Sirika added that government was exploring ways to replace airlines which are staying away from Kaduna, in particular, looking for ways to begin London-Kaduna flights.

He said: “We thank God the operation in Kaduna is going on smooth. We are able to do what we said we would do. We are actually working our talk.

“We thank Nigerians for understanding with us in time of this period of emergency.  We have deployed enough personnel to handle and process passengers in Kaduna.

“Of course, the terminal building is finished and being used for the last one week in Kaduna. I am sure also the complimentary buses and train that we have provided to ferry passengers from Kaduna to Abuja and vice versa are running on smoothly.

“And of course, we plead and thank Nigerians to bear with us in this time of six weeks. We have five more weeks to go and by the grace of God, we shall achieve that and things will be normal so we appreciate your support and understanding in this regard.”

On foreign airlines, Sirika said government has been discussing with some of them including Ethiopian Airlines which he said was coming with brand new aircraft.

He added: “And of course we are still talking to other airlines to see reason and begin to come because they see that its possible, doable, safe and secure, its perfect condition and we are personally talking to other airlines within Nigeria to see the possibility of doing.

“In an event where British airways may not come or Lufthansa, we are into negotiations that will be able into London and Kaduna daily just like the British airways was doing in Abuja.

“I think within the next couple of days we shall conclude and if it is possible, we shall announce to Nigerians that there will be flight from Kaduna to London and back.

“We will be using the advantage of the gap created by British Airways out of Abuja that is going on.

“Yesterday afternoon I was with British high commission, I discussed with them for onward delivery to their own country.

“We are ready here we have the aircraft that we can deploy. The airline that we can use to go into London and back on daily basis, we shall keep you posted within the next couple of days.”