By Francisca Ogar
The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika has advised Civil Society groups to always cross check their facts before going public on issues.
Sirika spoke while receiving the group who were on a mission to get information about the 5.8 billion dollars earmarked for the repair of Abuja airport in the 2017 budget.
The Minister who was responding to comments in a letter attributed the group questioning his competence, urged the group to cite particular instances of such ineptitude to enable him make the necessary amends.
The group led by Erik Bassey however distanced themselves from the letter which they said did not emanate from them.
The Minister of State earlier made it clear that the only acceptable option is to shut down the airport for 6 weeks in the course of the 6 months repair,adding that the shut down will not last more than 6 weeks.
He said experts on velodrome as well as the Council of Engineers have agreed with the decision to shut down.
Hadi Sirika who acknowledged the hardship the closure will cost passengers pleaded with them to endure the hardship in view of the long term benefit, stressing the fact, that the runway in Abuja had failed completely.
The runway in Nnamdi Azikiwe airport is to be reconstructed, requiring the airport to be closed for 6 weeks starting in March while Kaduna Airport is to serve as the alternative route.
