ASABA (Federal Ministry of Aviation Report)
The Nigerian Government has downgraded the Asaba Airport over the failure of the Delta State Government to put in place measures to guarantee the safety and security of passengers utilizing the airport.
The Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who made the assertion recently indicated that with the downgrading which takes immediate effect, the airport would henceforth be permitted to accommodate the operation of only Dash 8-Q 400 aircraft or its equivalent until all the safety issues are addressed.
He recalled that the Nigerian Government through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authourity (NCAA) spotted several safety concerns surrounding the furrow on the airport’s runway as well as lack in the required strip, perimeter fencing, drainage and 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 and 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 that of passengers,” he said.
“The federal government has also drawn the attention of the owners of the airport to the fact that it has through its inability to address the issues, violated Compliance with 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 the Minister of Aviation, 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.
He assured that the airport would revert to its previous status as soon as all the safety concerns are adequately and satisfactorily addressed.
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