- Sirika unveiled Nigeria Air on May 26, 2023, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja
- The project was suspended by the current Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, following his inauguration
Former President Muhammadu Buhari’s media assistant Garba Shehu has responded to people who have questioned Senator Hadi Sirika’s actions while serving as the aviation minister.
Shehu asserted that Sirika outperformed all of his predecessors in terms of enhancing aviation security.
Shehu said that Sirika’s achievements were recognised by international organisations, including the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, and many other nations, in a statement released on Thursday, 100 hundred days after Buhari’s resignation as president.
In an earlier, raging controversy over the “unveiling” of the supposed national carrier, Nigeria Air plane, at the twilight of Buhari’s administration.
The unveiling of Nigeria Air was carried out by Sirika on May 26, 2023, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
Recall that there was a backlash after the event, especially over the Ethiopian Airlines plane used for the unveiling.
However, the current Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo suspended the project after his inauguration.
But Shehu is not happy that some persons were smearing Sirika even when, according to him, he had improved aviation security beyond any of his predecessors.
“Even the Senator Hadi Sirika that they want to smear has improved aviation security beyond any of his predecessors.
“His efforts are acknowledged by international organizations including the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO and by many other countries.
“Where were they when he was keeping awake at night to ensure that the Abuja runway was repaired in record time? Or working to fully execute the modernization of terminal buildings in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Enugu (plus runway) and Port Harcourt?”