Olalekan Adetayo, Abuja

The Federal Government has changed its stance on the banning of helicopters shuttle services from Kaduna to Abuja by some helicopters companies following the temporary closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja.

The National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, had earlier in the week announced the ban on such services.



But the Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, told State House correspondents on Wednesday that the government had rescinded its decision on the matter.

Sirika said with the latest development, helicopters can continue to be flying into and out of the Abuja airport.

He, however, said the city centre remained a no-fly zone.

The minister said, “On the helicopter issue, the National Security Adviser 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 National Security Adviser has earlier this morning (Wednesday) 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 (Wednesday).

“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.

“They have areas where there are no fly zones but the National Security Adviser this morning approved that helicopters should enter Abuja airport and out but the procedures in which helicopters should enter into Abuja and the spot which the helicopters will land will be advised in due course and it shall be before the end of today (Wednesday).”

Sirika added that the operation at the Kaduna International Airport had been going on smoothly since the closure of the Abuja airport.

He assured all stakeholders that the government would ensure that work is completed at the Abuja airport within the remaining five weeks available to it.

He said apart from the Ethiopian Airline which has started landing in Kaduna, the government was talking to other airlines to see reason and begin to come.

The minister said, “We are 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.

“I think within the next couple of days, we shall conclude and if it is possible we shall announce to Nigerians that there will be flight from Kaduna to London and back.

“We will be using the advantage of the gap created by British Airways out of Abuja, that is going on.

“Yesterday (Tuesday), I was with British High Commissioner. I discussed with them for onward delivery to their own country. We are ready here; we have the aircraft that we can deploy. The airline that we can use to go to London and back on daily basis, we shall keep you posted within the next couple of days.”


http://punchng.com/fg-makes-u-turn-allows-helicopters-into-abuja-airport/

Responsive government. If a policy is not acceptable to the majority, you reverse it.

Nice one, but choppers have been landing and taking off there since the March 7 end of operations for the airport

blessme2019:
Nice one, but choppers have been landing and taking off there since the March 7 end of operations for the airport

What evidence do you have to these claims?

Ahmed0336:
What evidence do you have to these claims?

I don't have pictorial evidence, cuz I never anticipated being asked. Aunt flew into Kaduna yesterday (Tuesday) and a chopper conveyed her to the Abuja airport n we picked her from there.

Wetin concern me na keke sure pass

Ahmed0336:
What evidence do you have to these claims?

He is correct.

blessme2019:


I don't have pictorial evidence, cuz I never anticipated being asked. Aunt flew into Kaduna on Tuesday and a chopper conveyed her to the Abuja airport n we picked her from there.

Okay then.

that was senseless b4! do helicopters need run way?

Confused Government!

Zoharariel:
Confused Government!

Just exactly what came to my mind. When i heard the reason they gave about security and all what not now they turn and reverse it, why not consider the pros and con before the decision instead of this disgraceful attitude.

When we said the initial decision to stop helicopters was a poor one some zombies almost crucified us but now once again we have been vindicated

SalamRushdie:
When we said the initial decision to stop helicopters was a poor one some zombies almost crucified us but now once again we have been vindicated

When we supported the government's move to rehabilitate the airport, some wailing zombies cried Fowel

why ban helicopter before? confused​government.

Lol... Government of U-turn

MReloaded:
Responsive government. If a policy is not acceptable to the majority, you reverse it.

This nt being responsive but rather reactionary and thoughtless. Such policies ought to be properly thought through with necessary consultation made so that the outcome is defensible on all fronts. It is rather stupid that the government required public outcry and condemnation before realising the folly of its ways and just within 24 hours! Goes to show that the previous ban was just a lazy knee-jerk reaction/response.

So it was not considered all along

BMCs that cheered the initial ban based on all the reasons they could spin. Please come in and condemn the reversal.


Just kiss the truth, this govt is uncoordinated, it takes a disgruntled cabal member to call Buhari and just like that a policy is REVERSED..