Nigeria’s Senate has warned that frequent airport closures and airspace restrictions to accommodate movements of Very Important Personalities (VIPs) could trigger a major aviation disaster if urgent measures are not taken.
The lawmakers raised the concern on Tuesday during plenary, following a motion moved by Senator Jibrin Isa, representing Kogi East, over the disruption of commercial flight operations by security arrangements for VIP movements.
They expressed concern that commercial aircraft approaching their destinations were often forced to remain airborne for extended periods, sometimes up to an hour or longer, exposing passengers and crew members to risks such as fuel exhaustion, adverse weather conditions and air traffic congestion.
Although the Senate acknowledged the need to ensure adequate security for the President and other top government officials, it insisted that such arrangements must not endanger the lives of ordinary air travellers.
The lawmakers consequently urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria to ensure proper advance notification and coordination of planned airspace restrictions with airline operators.
Contributing to the debate, Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, recounted how a flight from Kano, scheduled to last about 40 minutes, reportedly spent approximately two and a half hours in the air because of VIP-related restrictions.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio also shared his experience of passengers being stranded inside an airport bus for about three hours because of VIP movements.
He directed the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation to convene an urgent meeting with relevant aviation authorities to develop practical measures for addressing the disruptions.
The Senate also mandated its Committee on Aviation to engage the relevant agencies and report back within two weeks, while demanding clarification on the categories of public officials entitled to such extensive airport restrictions.
