By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Senate on Tuesday moved to check the Airline mishaps in the country even as it had summoned the Minister of Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika, to appear before it over the recent air mishaps that have occurred in the aviation industry.
This followed a Motion moved by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Transportation and eight other Senators.
Sundiata Post recalls the February 20th, 2018 story of a Dana airline aircraft that allegedly overshot the runway upon landing at the Port Harcourt Airport and the Wednesday February 7th, 2018 incident, whereby the emergency door of an aircraft conveying passengers to Abuja fell off upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Recall that in a swift reaction to the February 7, airline door falling off, Senate President, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki promised that the Senate would look into the issue.
According to Saraki, “The safety of passengers and conditions of aircrafts must be the primary concern of all airlines that are operating in Nigeria.
“An airline door falling off is unacceptable, We will take this up at the Senate. It must not happen again.”
Speaking on the Senate’s Motion in plenary on Tuesday, Senator Stella Oduah, a former Minister of Aviation, stated that Nigeria’s aviation industry is the most regulated ministry in Nigeria, adding that , the responsibility for the safety of the passengers and the aircraft lies mostly with the pilot.
In his contribution to the motion, Senator James Manager said, “I fully support the suggestion that the Minister of State for Transport should be invited.”
Senator Moa Ohuabuwa while calling for proper investigation of the air mishaps also demanded for the suspension and proper check of the affected airlines.
Speaking after the adoption of the Motion, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu said: “This Motion clearly shows that we should do something immediately about the aviation sector. We need to ensure that those who will fly in Nigeria can fly safely.
“I had a similar experience last month where the pilot missed the runway twice — it is also imperative that we sort this out once and for all,” Ekweremadu said.