SAN FRANCISCO, January 04, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the use of arms and ammunitions by airport security personnel across the country.
This was disclosed to State House correspondents by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, at the end of the first Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting of the year, chaired by President Buhari, which started at 10am at the state house, Abuja.
Sirika, who was with the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Femi Adesina, revealed that the council approved the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for six weeks in order to repair its dysfunctional runway.
“We are very serious about aviation security, just last week the President approved that aviation security should bear arms,” he said.
“So we are trying to make them take the form and shape of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the US with K-9 dogs, handcuffs, the guards, the batons and light weapons.
“The minister of interior is helping us in that regard with the directive of Mr. President. They are partnering with us and other stakeholders to keep our airports secure.
“All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders meeting.
“Council also approved the completion of Kaduna airport terminal building.
“During the rehabilitation of the terminal building a contractor noticed some structural damages to the building itself and then increased the scope of what to be done to put it to use and that necessitated the variation of contract sum.
“The cost of variation is in excess of 15 percent, it had to go to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for approval anticipation, that was approved and they went to BPP.
“So we brought it to council today to ratify and of course taking into cognizance the exchange rate and inflation that has increased the cost of completion of the terminal building.
“Council has approved the completion of that terminal building and it will be completed in six months. The contractor has accepted to work within that six months.
Danbazzau also disclosed the council’s decision to vote N4 billion for firefighting equipment, saying the move was aimed at enabling the federal fire service work optimally at this time.
Story by Oputah David
