Abuja airport closure hadi sirika engages stakeholders

It appears that you're referring to the recent closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja, Nigeria, and the engagement of stakeholders by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

Here's a brief summary:

On March 8, 2022, the Federal Government of Nigeria announced the temporary closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja due to safety concerns. The closure was necessitated by the need to repair and upgrade the airport's runway, which had become worn out and posed a risk to aircraft operations.

To address the concerns of stakeholders and ensure a smooth transition, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, engaged with various stakeholders, including:

  1. Airlines: Sirika met with airline operators to discuss the impact of the closure on their operations and to provide guidance on alternative arrangements.
  2. Passengers: The minister assured passengers that the closure was necessary for safety reasons and that alternative arrangements would be made to minimize disruptions.
  3. Airport workers: Sirika met with airport workers to address their concerns and provide support during the closure period.
  4. Other government agencies: The minister engaged with other government agencies, such as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to ensure a coordinated response to the closure.

The engagement with stakeholders aimed to:

  1. Minimize disruptions to air travel and commerce
  2. Ensure the safety of passengers and airport workers
  3. Provide alternative arrangements for passengers and airlines
  4. Facilitate the successful completion of the runway repair and upgrade

The closure of NAIA was initially scheduled to last for six weeks, but it was later extended to eight weeks due to unforeseen challenges. However, the minister assured that the airport would reopen once the repairs were completed, and normal operations would resume.

It's worth noting that the closure of NAIA was a significant challenge for the aviation sector in Nigeria, but the engagement of stakeholders by Minister Sirika helped to mitigate the impact and ensure a smoother transition.