Abuja airport to be closed for security and safety concerns - FG

The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has said that concerns for the safety and security of passengers informed the decision to totally close the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. 
Sirika said in Abuja yesterday that the Federal Government would prefer to lose billions of naira in revenue than the lives of Nigerians. 
Explaining how the repairs would be carried out, the minister said that government was aware of the inconveniences the closure would cause passengers and airline operators but added that it was in the best interest of all concerned. 
“From start to finish of the runway, it will take six months. However, we will be using the runway throughout the period except for about six weeks when the runway will be closed.
“The government has accepted the design done by the contractor. The runway will last for more than 10 years on completion early next year.”
He added that he would be meeting with stakeholders to discuss matters arising from the planned closure. 
“The stakeholders forum will afford me the opportunity to officially inform the sector players of the decision and also brief them on efforts being made to ensure that the use of the Kaduna International Airport, as an alternate during the six-week closure of the Abuja Airport, is seamless and hitch-free.”