A media aide to the immediate former President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has knocked the critics of the immediate former minister of aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, over his activities at the Ministry of Aviation, during his tenure as a minister.
Shehu in a statement issued on Thursday, claimed that Sirika had an impact on aviation security more than any of his predecessors.
According to him in the statement marking a hundred days after Buhari left office as president, Shehu claimed that Sirika’s efforts were acknowledged by international organizations, including the International Civil Aviation Organization, ICAO, and many other countries.
It would be recalled that towards the Buhari administration, the former minister was dragged over the controversy revolving around the “unveiling” of the supposedly national carrier, Nigeria Aeroplane.
The unveiling of Nigeria Air which was done by Sirika on May 26, 2023, at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, later resulted in backlash after the event, especially over the Ethiopian Airlines plane used for the unveiling of the carrier.
Meanwhile, the current Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo has suspended the project after his inauguration.
However, Mr Shehu who feels unhappy with the way Sirika is being dragged, said 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,” Shehu claimed
He asked, “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?”
