The Federal Government of Nigeria, on Wednesday, in Abuja, said the agitation of the Senate cannot halt the ongoing demolition of offices belonging to aviation agencies at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, made the FG’s stance known after this week’s Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), at the State House, Abuja.
Sirika said, “Government is going to continue (with the demolition). The Senate is advisory. It’s an executive function, we are not bound by any court of law and the government cannot be stopped from giving development to its people.
“So, a few individuals will not deny 250 million Nigerians the joy of having something that they will go outside Nigeria to see.”
His remarks come barely 24 hours after a motion by the upper legislative Chamber directed the FG to halt the demolition works to allow the Senate Committee on Aviation, chaired by Senator Biodun Olujimi, to intervene.
The PUNCH reports that the Senate on Tuesday directed the Minister of Aviation to stop the planned demolition of aviation agencies’ offices in Lagos pending the outcome of the intervention being made by its Committee on Aviation.
The Senate’s resolution followed a motion by the Chairman of the Aviation Committee, Senator Biodun Olujimi (PDP Ekiti South), on the urgent need for the Senate intervention on the intending warning strike by aviation unions.
In the motion, Olujimi reminded the Red Chamber of the looming warning strike by the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers etc.
But reacting to a question on the matter, Sirika said that the Senate’s resolution is only advisory and cannot stop the demolition.
“I’m sure those people that are saying no to it don’t want to continue to see Lagos airport the way it is.
“A few individuals will not deny 250 million Nigerians the joy of having something that they will go outside Nigeria to see.
“People will go and see outside the country and say, ‘These leaders, don’t they travel? See Dubai?’ But now we want to give (Nigerians) something like Dubai and somebody is saying no? Common!” Sirika fumed.