FG allows Kaduna-Abuja helicopter shuttle
The Federal Government has rescinded its decision on the ban of shuttle services from Kaduna to Abuja by helicopter companies after closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.
Addressing State House reporters yesterday, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said helicopters could continue flying into and out of the Abuja airport.
The ban had earlier this week been announced by the National Security Adviser (NSA) General Babagana Munguno (rtd).
“On the helicopter issue, the NSA has the constitutional responsibility vested on him by the president to advise him on national security matters. In his wisdom, he had earlier sent out letters banning helicopters operation into the (Abuja) airport, but the NSA has earlier this morning (yesterday) said helicopters will continue to fly into 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 (yesterday). This 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.
He said while the Ethiopian Airline had begun landing at the Kaduna airport, government was “talking to other airlines within Nigeria to see the possibility of doing it. In an event where British Airways or Lufthansa may not come, we are into negotiations that will make them go into London and Kaduna daily just like the British Airways was doing in Abuja. The ongoing N24 billion Police pension scam trial before Justice Hussein Baba-Yusuf at an FCT High Court, was yesterday stalled over the unpreparedness of counsel representing the 4th defendant in the trial.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is prosecuting Esai Dangabar alongside Atiku Abubakar Kigo, Ahmed Inuwa Wada, Veronica Onyegbula, Sani Habila Zira and Christian Madubuike before the court on criminal charges bordering on conspiracy and criminal breach of trust.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel for the 4th defendant Barrister Olushola Dare informed the court that he was not adequately prepared for the hearing.