Incident At Abuja Airport Forces Senate To Postpone Oduah’s Appearance

stella_oduah_3The minor accident involving a Saudi Airline cargo plane at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, yesterday forced the Senate Committee on Aviation to reschedule the appearance of the embattled Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah for next week Tuesday, chairman of the committee, Senator Hope Uzodinma has said.

Uzodinma, who was speaking with reporters at the National Assembly complex explained that following a senate resolution, the minister and other heads of parastatals under her ministry were summoned to brief the committee on the last plane crash involving an Associated Airlines aircraft and the safety situation of the Nigerian airspace.

“The briefing was also to enable HODs in the ministry to brief the senate on some of the lapses and how they have been operating their various agencies.

“The meeting cannot hold today because of an emergency development, a 747 Cargo aircraft belonging to Saudi Arabia airline had some problems, landing into Abuja and as a result the airport is closed for air operations since this morning.

“All the agencies in the aviation ministry with their CEOs are all there battling to ensure that the aircraft is removed from the runway and ensure that normal operations resume.

“Julius Berger Nigeria Limited had been invited; they are working with AIB, FAAN, NCAA. It became necessary that we allow them sufficient time to solve the national challenge.

“We have been able to take Tuesday, which is the next legislative date by 2pm to have the minister and her team in audience”, Uzodinma said.