Abuja Airport Closure: Federal Government Offers Free Bus, Train Rides to Travellers

 

While speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Monday, to formally announce the closure of Abuja Airport beginning on Wednesday, the Minister of State for Transportation who is in charge of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, explained the logistics arrangements put in place for persons travelling by air from or out of Abuja.

 

The minister also revealed that the use of Kaduna Airport is the alternative, adding that all travellers from Abuja will head to the Abuja Airport and not Kaduna directly.

“Passengers will file themselves into Abuja Airport as if they are travelling from Abuja, after which they will be screened, including their baggage and they will be put on the buses and they will be transported direct to the Airport in Kaduna,” he said.

 

According to Premium Times, Sirika said special buses made available for ferrying passengers will be escorted by armed policemen “in front and behind”, adding that passengers are not to pay for the bus fare, or similar cost on train.

 

The Minister also said while in the buses “there will be helicopter patrol over the expressway to the airport and at every five kilometer going there will be armed policemen stationed”, adding that while in Kaduna, passengers will again be screened “in case of contamination and then they will board on their flight”.

 

The Aviation Minister said passengers heading to Abuja from various destinations will be given “a single form of three lines stating their preferred choice of getting to Abuja; either by bus or train or private arrangement,” he said.

 

He said special marshals are stationed at Kaduna Airport who will have placards indicating train, bus or private arrangement.

 

The Minister said once in Abuja passengers will pick their baggage” and find their way.