Chidoka: Why FG Downgraded Asaba Airport
The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, yesterday attributed the downgrade of the Asaba Airport in Delta State to the failure of the state government to put in place measures that would guarantee the safety and security of passengers using the airport.
In a statement signed by his Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mr. James Odaudu, made available to the media in Abuja, he said the downgrading takes immediate effect.
The airport, Chidoka added, would now be allowed to accommodate the operation of only Dash 8-Q 400 aircraft or its equivalent until all the safety issues are addressed.
He said: “It will be recalled that the federal government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), had raised several safety concerns over the undulation state of the airport’s runway, lack of the required strip, perimeter fencing, drainage, as well as lack of adequately trained technical personnel.
“It has therefore become a matter of serious concern that despite a series of meetings with, and assurances given by the operators of the airport, the Delta State government, no concrete steps have been taken to address the issues which are capable of compromising the safety of flight operations and, of course, the passengers.”
The minister drew the attention of the owners of the airport to its inability to address the issues, adding that the lack of safety and preventive measures violate the NCAA safety standards as stipulated in the Nig. CARs Part 12.6.2 and 12.6.3 in respect of the airport runway and its associated facilities, as well as adequately trained personnel.
According to him, “the downgrading has been carried out in the public interest because the federal government places very high premium on the safety and security of aviation passengers and would never compromise set standards for whatever reason.”
The minister however promised that the airport would revert to its previous status as soon as all the safety concerns are adequately and satisfactorily addressed.