Lagos, Abuja Airports May Be Shut – FG

A day after it ordered the shutdown of three international airports in the country, the federal government on Friday disclosed that it may soon shut down the two remaining international airports in Nigeria – Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed this on Friday while speaking with newsmen after a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari.

The government, through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), had earlier ordered the shutdown of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; and the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, adding that the airports will be closed from March 21, 2020.

Siriki, who said the Lagos and Abuja airports would be shut “sooner than later”, noted that the measure would help in checking the spread of coronavirus.

According to him, however, the presidential task force on COVID-19 was in the best position to announce any action regarding coronavirus, adding that he spoke in his personal capacity.

Sirika is a member of the task force chaired by Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation.

“Well I think differently, this is my individual perspective. At some points, these airports must be closed. This is my opinion. But like I said, there is Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 of which I am a member,” he said.

“But certainly, and definitely at some point, these airports must be closed (Abuja and Lagos), all of them in Nigeria will be closed. I think it is the safest thing to do because these things multiply exponentially.

“But for a better brief, I think we have the forum, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19, they will come up with a statement. But I can guarantee you that, sooner than later the airports will be closed. We would close down these airports and we would issue the necessary notices to airmen as to what time they would be closed.

“I think it will be very soon. It is better safe than sorry and I think in my opinion, this is my personal opinion, if you want to catch a fish empty the water.”