By Favour Nnabugwu

THE Federal Government, yesterday, downgraded the Asaba Airport due to alleged failure of Delta State Government to install safety measures for the security of passengers using the airport.

The Federal Government said its decision followed futile attempts by the state government to understand the importance of safety at its airport, thus violating the compliance with safety standards as stipulated in the Nig. CARs Part 12.6.2 and 12.6.3 in respect of the airport runway and its associated facilities as well as adequately trained personnel.

Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka, in Abuja, said the downgrading of the Asaba airport takes immediate effect as the airport would only be allowed the operations of Dash 8-Q 400 aircraft or its equivalent until all the safety measures were guaranteed.

According to him, “The downgrading has been carried out in the public interest because the Federal Government places very high premium on the safety and security of aviation passengers and would never compromise set standards for whatever reason.”

The minister assured that the airport would revert to its previous status as soon as all the safety concerns were adequately and satisfactorily addressed.

“It has therefore, become a matter of serious concern that despite series of meetings with and assurances given by the operators of the airport, the Delta State Government, no concrete steps had been taken to address the issues which are capable of compromising the safety of flight operations and, of course, the passengers.”

It will be recalled that the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, had raised safety concerns over undulations on the airport’s runway, lack of the required strip, perimeter fencing, drainage, as well as lack of adequately trained technical personnel.