Minister of state, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika yesterday disclosed that the Nnamdi Abuja International Airport, Abuja is to be shut down for repairs of the runway for six weeks in February and March, 2017.

The minister disclosed this yesterday while briefing journalists on happenings in the aviation industry at the airport.

He said the contractor, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, had given a programme of work to be done which has been approved by government.

“Because of the centrality and significance of Abuja to the general administration of the country and to the economy, we cannot afford to close down the airport for a long time to do the repairs.”

“As a longer term solution, the government decided to carryout major structural repairs on the runway which will take some time. From start to finish, it will take about six months. However, we will be using the airport almost through the period except for about six weeks that the runway will be closed. But once the work is finished, there will be a guarantee of at least 10 years” he said.

Sirika said during the period of the closure the Kaduna airport will serve as alternative airport saying “We have jointly had a meeting with the Kaduna state governor a couple of days ago where we agree we will supply buses to convey the passengers to Abuja while they will provide security within the six weeks especially for late flights.”

Sen. Sirika expressed dismay over the hardships travellers are facing due to scarcity of aviation fuel and assured that he is working with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Federal Ministry of Petroleum and the oil marketers to ensure the crisis is resolved.

Daily Trust