By LAWANI MIKAIRU

The Supervising Minster of Aviation, Dr. Samuel Ortom  has ruled out sabotage as the likely cause of the fire incident at the control tower of the Kaduna airport. Dr. Ortom made this disclosure after undertaking an inspection tour of the airport and the debris of the control tower.

Mr Yakubu Dati, Coordinating Spokesman, Aviation Parastatals, who accompanied the minister on the inspection tour said the minister “ explained that preliminary investigations revealed the unlikelihood of sabotage as the cause of the fire in view of the tight security at the airport.”

“However, the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and other relevant agencies have commenced investigations to identify the remote and immediate cause of the accident. The airport has commenced operations following the deployment of a mobile emergency control tower from Abuja.”

Dati further said  the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Engr  Ibrahim Abdulsalam while conducting the minister round the burnt tower assured the “ minister that all hands are on deck to return the situation to normalcy.”

The Minister who was accompanied by Directors from the ministry and Heads of parastatals also inspected the on-going remodeling projects. The MD of FAAN Engr. Saleh Dunoma while conducting the minister round the terminal building said a new terminal is being rebuilt to serve the ever growing economy of the vibrant state.

The minister gave a directive for the speedy completion of the project because of the strategic location of Kaduna as a former regional capital.

The supervising minister was also accompanied on the inspection by  Engr. Benedict Adeyileka, Acting Director General of  the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt Sam Caulcrick, Rector of Nigeria College of Aviation Technology.