…Moves To Close Benin Airport

The Federal Government has threatened to shut Benin airport following the noise from aircraft disturbing residents living close to the airport as well as pleasing the Benin monarch.

The minister, who made the threat shortly after he visited the Oba of Benin in his palace, said, government may look for an alternative or shut the airport if urgent measure is not taken to stop the noise pollution.

Before the visit of the minister, the Benin Traditional Ruler, Omonoba Eredauwa, had complained the danger the noise of aircraft poised to his palace by various aircrafts  flying over the traditional abode of the Benin Monarch while landing and taking off.

The Monarch made the complain in his palace when the board members of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), led by its chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraji, paid him a visit with a view to finding solutions to the problem.

The Benin airport, which is located in the heart of the city shares the same boundary with the palace. 

Oba Eredauwa while welcoming the NAMA board members complained of  how he had written several letters to the relevant agencies on the discomfort he and his entire household pass through as a result of deafening  noise suffered during the take off and landing of aircraft at Benin airport.

The traditional ruler lamented that despite his efforts, nothing has been done. The problem started during the military era, and I am convinced` that the aviation air space regulator is directly responsible for the landing and taking off of aircraft and should redirect the route to give him and the entire family peace.

Responding  the NAMA board chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Baraji,  regretted the discomfort the monarch is experiencing and assured that something must be done. 

Alhaji Baraji said the noise experienced by the monarch is done due  to the bad weather which the airport is experiencing due to the use of runway 23 which coincidentally falls on the same axis with the palace.

The Tide was informed that when the minister visited the monarch last Friday, the same issue was raised which forced the minister to threaten to close the airports.

Although, the minister, Babatunde Omotoba promised to consult various stakeholders including the governor before taking the actions. “What you have to note is that I am the Minister of Aviation.”