Senate President Godswill Akpabio has recounted how he spent almost three hours stranded in an airport shuttle bus while waiting for a presidential flight to take off when he was governor of Akwa Ibom State.
Akpabio shared the experience during Tuesday’s plenary following a motion by Senator Isah Jibril, who raised concerns over disruptions to commercial flight operations caused by movements of Very Important Personalities (VIPs).
The motion warned that prolonged delays and restrictions imposed on commercial flights to accommodate VIP movements could trigger a major aviation disaster.
Lawmakers expressed concern that commercial aircraft are sometimes forced to remain airborne for extended periods while waiting for VIP flights to depart, exposing passengers and crew to safety risks.
Senator Abdul Ningi also recounted how a flight scheduled to last 45 minutes from Kano kept him airborne for two and ahalf hours because of restrictions linked to VIP movements.
Akpabio said he experienced similar disruptions when he was governor of Akwa Ibom State, recalling how he and other passengers were left waiting in an airport shuttle bus for almost three hours.
He also questioned the timing and coordination of presidential security arrangements, saying airport operations were sometimes restricted long before the President’s actual departure.
The Senate President warned that prolonged delays in the air could become particularly dangerous during the approaching harmattan season, when aircraft could face fuel limitations and adverse weather conditions.
Following the debate, the Senate directed its Committee on Aviation to convene an urgent meeting with relevant authorities to find practical solutions to the disruptions.
Lawmakers also called for clarification on the categories of public officials entitled to airport and airspace restrictions, insisting on clear operational guidelines to prevent VIP movements from compromising commercial aviation safety.
Erizia Rubyjeana
Follow us on:
