Senate President Godswill Akpabio has revealed how he once concealed his identity at an airport to escape the anger of frustrated passengers stranded for hours because of restrictions imposed for Very Important Personalities (VIPs).
Akpabio disclosed that he had to hide his identity and avoid eye contact with other passengers after they were kept waiting for about three hours because of VIP movements.
Recounting the embarrassing experience during Tuesday’s Senate plenary, Akpabio said the passengers had already boarded an airport bus and were being transported towards their aircraft when the vehicle was suddenly stopped.
The passengers were subsequently left sweating inside the bus for hours, triggering anger and frustration among travellers.
Akpabio, a former governor, said he had to conceal his identity as passengers openly abused government officials over the disruption.
The Senate President’s revelation came as lawmakers raised the alarm over the growing disruption of commercial flights by security arrangements for VIP movements, warning that the practice could trigger a major aviation disaster.
The lawmakers expressed concern that commercial aircraft were routinely forced to remain airborne for extended periods while waiting for restricted airports to reopen.
Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, also narrated his unpleasant experience, disclosing that a flight from Kano which was expected to last about 40 minutes kept him in the air for approximately two and a half hours.
Ningi lamented that ordinary passengers were being subjected to unexplained delays while aviation authorities appeared unable to protect their interests.
He warned that prolonged flight delays could expose passengers and crew members to fuel exhaustion, bad weather and other emergencies, particularly with the approaching harmattan season.
Akpabio, who described aircraft as a “flying coffin”, warned that the situation could result in an avoidable aviation disaster if urgent action was not taken.
He also questioned the widespread restriction of airports for VIP movements, demanding clarification on the categories of public officials entitled to such privileges.
The Senate President said lawmakers were aware of the privileges enjoyed by the President and Vice-President but wanted the authorities to explain whether similar restrictions were being extended to other government officials.
The Senate consequently urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to improve coordination and notify airlines ahead of planned airspace restrictions.
It also directed that aircraft yet to depart should be kept on the ground whenever restrictions were anticipated, rather than allowing them to take off only to circle endlessly.
For aircraft already airborne, the Senate urged aviation authorities to arrange safe alternative airports instead of leaving passengers at the mercy of prolonged restrictions.
The Senate Committee on Aviation was directed to engage relevant authorities and report back within two weeks.
Akpabio warned that failure to address the problem could result in an avoidable accident waiting to happen.
