Following the decision of the Aviation Ministry to divert flights from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to Kaduna International Airport, the state government has pledged its commitment to ensure smooth flight operations from the airport.
Gov. Nasir El-Rufai made the pledge on Friday in Kaduna when the Minister of state for Aviation Sen. Hadi Sirika visited him.
The minister was in the state to assess the readiness of the management of Kaduna Airport to receive the large number of flights if Abuja Airport is eventually shut down.
el-Rufai, represented by Alhaji Aminu Shagali, the Speaker of the State Assembly, commended the Federal Government for the choice of Kaduna Airport.
He said his government had put process in motion to ensure the success of the plan.
“We are delighted for the choice of the federal government to divert flights from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to Kaduna International Airport as a result of the proposed repairs of the runway of Abuja Airport.
“We have put in motion processes and activities to make the decision of the federal government a success.
“I want to assure all Nigerians and the international community, particularly stakeholders in the aviation industry that Kaduna state will rise up to the occasion, “he promised.
The governor also pledged that his government would provide adequate security and complete the repairs of Nnamdi Azikiwe expressway to ease traffic movement.
He said that stakeholders in the hospitality business were ready to tap from the opportunity the development would bring to the state.
Earlier, the minister expressed satisfaction with ongoing work at the Kaduna airport towards ensuring smooth flight operations.
“A lot of work has been done in the airport, but I decided to pay the visit to see things for myself before the Abuja airport is closed down,” Sirika said.
He expressed optimism that work on the main terminal building and control tower would be completed by the end of February to meet the March 8 deadline.
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