The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has warned airline operators, especially international airlines, against shabby treatment of Nigerian passengers who travel on board their flights.
Sirika gave the warning when a delegation from the Emirates Group paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement signed by James Odaudu, the Deputy Director of Press and Public Affairs Unit in the Office of the Minister, on Monday.
The statement said the minister warned that the government would no longer condone the practice of subjecting Nigerian travellers to all forms of suffering.
It said Sirika specifically warned against making them walk long distances before boarding or using small aircraft that would not carry them along with their luggage to their destinations.
The statement said: “Sirika informed the group that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has been directed to invoke all relevant laws to protect the interest and rights of Nigerians and others from being flagrantly abused by airlines.
“He, however, assured the operators of the Federal Government’s commitment to complete the overhaul and upgrading of the nation’s airport facilities to make the use of Nigeria’s airspace a delightful experience.”
The statement added that the minister gave the assurance that the second terminal at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, now under construction, would be ready before the end of the year.
It added that the completion of the project would improve the comfort and convenience of both airline operators and the flying public.
It said David Broz, the Vice president Aeropolitical and Industry Affairs of Emirate Group, had earlier pledged the commitment of the airline to serve Nigeria better, being its second biggest market in Africa.
Broz commended the government for its efforts to upgrade airports’ facilities and promised that the group would to maintain a good relationship with Nigeria to ensure its smooth operation in the country.
NAN.
Trending
- Traditional ruler shot dead inside palace
- Primate Ayodele to Yoruba Nation agitators: You can’t break Nigeria
- Police intercept bags of Indian Hemp at Lagos jetty
- Enugu, families to give Ibu, Junior Pope befitting burial
- Police arrest suspects for attempting to disrupt inauguration of commissioners
- Police rescue three children locked up by grandmother + Photo
- Police foil attack in Katsina, neutralise suspected bandit
- US vetoes Palestine’s request for full UN membership