In preparation for the highly anticipated May 29 inauguration of President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stringent security measures have been put in place by the Federal Government.
As part of these measures, all airlines operating at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) in Abuja have been directed to temporarily relocate their aircraft to alternate airports, News About Nigeria reports.
The directive was issued in a memo dated May 8 by Kabir Mohammed, the Regional General Manager of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
In the memo, airlines were informed about the temporary relocation, which is deemed necessary to ensure the safety and security of all parties involved in the presidential inauguration ceremony.
The move comes as no surprise, considering the high-security nature of such an event. By relocating the aircraft parked at the General Aviation Terminal to alternate airports, authorities aim to minimize potential risks and create a secure environment for the inauguration.
Airlines have been urged to comply with the directive and relocate their aircraft before May 22, allowing sufficient time for logistical arrangements.
In an effort to maintain effective communication, the memo encourages airlines to reach out to the relevant authorities should they have any questions or concerns regarding the temporary relocation process.
He said: “This is to inform you of the need to temporarily relocate your aircraft to alternate airports due to May 29, 2023, Presidential inauguration ceremony.
“The ceremony is a high-security event. In order to ensure the safety and security of all parties involved, it has become necessary to temporarily relocate all aircraft parked at the General Aviation Terminal to alternate airports.
“Following this, you are requested to relocate your aircraft before May 22. We understand that this may cause some inconvenience for you, but however, the security and safety of all individuals involved in this event are our priority.
“We believe that this temporary relocation is the best course of action in line with international practices. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this development, please don’t hesitate to contact us.”
While acknowledging that this temporary relocation may cause some inconvenience, the Federal Government emphasizes that the security and safety of all individuals involved in the event are of paramount importance.
The government believes that aligning with international practices and dispersing the aircraft will help mitigate potential threats and enhance overall security measures during the ceremony.
