By Adetutu Folasade-Koyi
The Presidency has reiterated that reconstruction works on the runway of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA), which has commenced, will not go beyond the stipulated six weeks deadline.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu gave the assurance on his Facebook page, yesterday, in Abuja.
The presidential aide, who was updating members of the public on the level of work, so far, at the project site with pictorial reports, said the contractor handling the project had been fully mobilised.
“The contractor handling the project, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is confident of delivering the runaway for use within six weeks.
“The contractor is fully mobilised at Abuja airport, it will be for six weeks. Please bear with us, it’s in the interest of safety.’’
Last Wednesday, government closed the NAIA for six weeks, to repair its runway, and diverted the airport’s operations to the Kaduna airport.
Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika temporarily moved his office to Kaduna, following the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Sirika said the temporary relocation of his office was to help airlines and their passengers have hitch-free movement for the next six weeks when all Abuja-bound flights would be directed to the Kaduna International Airport.
“This is to ensure smooth operations and achieve intended results,” he said.
About 4, 300, out of the 8,694 flights to and from the NAIA, in the next six weeks have been cancelled following the diversion of flights to the Kaduna International Airport.
Only Ethiopian Airline, out of the eight international airlines plying the Abuja airport agreed to use the Kaduna airport for the next six weeks.