From James Awano, Abuja
The Federal Government of Nigeria has banned the use of Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9 planes by any airline operator in Nigeria.
A Boeing 737 MAX 8 plane had plunged into a field minutes after take-off on Sunday from the Ethiopian capital of Addis Ababa, killing all 157 people aboard.
Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that such plane would not be allowed into Nigeria until the cause of the plane crash is determined.
He said: “Regarding Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9, that has been in the news recently, there is no cause for alarm as there is no operator in Nigeria that is using that type of airplane.
“The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, whose mandate it is to issue advisory, has already issued advisory that nobody should fly into Nigeria or out of Nigeria using Boeing 737 Max 8 and Max 9, pending the determination of the actual cause of the crash in Ethiopia and also pending the outcome of the response of the manufacturer, which is Messers Boeing.
“Regardless of the enormous safety records of this plane 737, it has caused concern in the world of aviation and you know aviation is universal, whatever affects one affects the other because aircraft will be flying in and out.
“So, we have issued directive that no operator with Boeing 737 Max 8 or Max 9 should operate into and outside our airports and this is being carried out.
“Regarding Air Peace and Arik orders, whether those orders were confirmed or intent, it is to our knowledge in the ministry that they won’t be in the country until the next two years or so.
“And this is enough period to sort out whatever problem it is with that plane. The world of aviation will not be sleeping just as we in Nigeria will not be sleeping.
“And it is normal standard practice that once a particular aircraft type is involved in accident back to back, it is withdrawn from the market and see if there is something they are doing wrong.
“And if it is confirmed that a particular problem say for instance, landing gear, they will issue an instruction to ground such plane worldwide until the problem is fix.
“So, this case is not different. We pray for the souls of the departed and pray that the industry will continue to be safe and secure. We promise you that we are alive to our own responsibility which is to secure lives and property as a government.” he stated
He also disclosed that three memos were presented to FEC from the Ministry of Transportation and Aviation on Wednesday, which were approved.
The first one, he said, was N529 million for the supply and installation of X-ray machines, cargo scanners and walk-through metal detectors at Enugu Airport.
According to him, the second is the upgrade and rehabilitation of the main in-take transformer, …landing system and domestic underground 11KVA circuit at the Malam Aminu Kano International airport N719 million.
He said that N4.5 billion was approved for procurement of security and safety projects at the nation’s airports phase two, which includes supply and installation of X-ray, screening machines at the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport, Abuja, Aminu Kano International airport, and Port Harcourt International airport.
The Minister said N622 million variation was approved by FEC for the Minna Airport terminal building, which was abandoned since 2012 for lack of funding.
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