FG Downgrades Asaba Airport Over Safety Concerns

The Federal Government has downgraded the Asaba Airport over the failure of Delta State Government to put in place safety and security measures at the airport, a statement said.
The statement by an Assistant Director, Press & Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, Mr James Odaudu,  on yesterday in Abuja, said that with the downgrading, the airport would now be allowed to accommodate the operation of only Dash 8-Q 400 aircraft or its equivalent until all the safety issues were addressed.
It stated that the Federal Government, through the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authourity (NCAA), had raised several safety concerns, but that the state government refused to address them.

Scene of an accident on Iganmu-Apapa-Wharf link bridge in Lagos, recently.

The safety concerns, according to the statement, were over undulations on the airport’s runway, the lack of the required strip, perimeter fencing, drainage, as well as lack of adequately trained technical personnel.
It said the decision was taken since no concrete steps had been taken to address the issues which were capable of compromising the safety of flight operation and the passengers.
“It has therefore become a matter of serious concern that despite a series of meetings with, and assurances given by the operators of the airport.