The Nigerian Senate has directed its Committee on Aviation to hold an urgent meeting with relevant authorities to address disruptions in commercial flight operations caused by the movements of Very Important Personalities (VIPs). The directive was issued following concerns raised by lawmakers regarding prolonged delays and restrictions imposed on commercial flights to accommodate these high-profile movements, which they warned could endanger passengers and crew.
The issue was formally raised during Tuesday’s plenary session when Senator Isah Jibril moved a motion highlighting the potential dangers associated with such disruptions. In supporting the motion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio recounted his personal experience as the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, noting that he was once stranded in an airport shuttle bus for nearly three hours while waiting for a presidential flight to take off.
Akpabio further questioned the timing and coordination of presidential security arrangements, observing that airport operations are sometimes restricted long before the President’s actual departure. Senator Abdul Ningi also contributed to the debate, sharing an experience where a flight scheduled to last 45 minutes from Kano kept him airborne for approximately two and a half hours due to restrictions linked to VIP movements.
The lawmakers expressed concern that commercial aircraft could be forced to remain in the air for extended periods while waiting for VIP flights to depart, describing the situation as a potential threat to aviation safety.
Senate President Akpabio warned that the risks posed by these delays could intensify during the approaching harmattan season. He noted that poor weather conditions combined with fuel limitations could significantly increase the dangers faced by aircraft held in the air for extended durations.
In response to the debate, the Senate mandated its Committee on Aviation to meet with relevant aviation authorities and other stakeholders to develop practical measures to resolve the issue. The lawmakers also called for the establishment of clear guidelines defining which categories of public officials are entitled to airport and airspace restrictions, emphasizing the need to ensure that VIP movements do not compromise the safety of commercial flight operations.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
