Niger State Government has urged the Federal Government to use Minna International Airport as alternative airport for travelers when the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja is closed for repair in February.

This offer is coming weeks after the federal government had announced that it would divert all airlines  to Kaduna International Airport when the six weeks rehabilitation begins in February through March.

However, a statement by Jonathan Vatsa, the Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism said Minna airport was the closest to Abuja.

Vatsa appealed to the federal government to speed up work on the dualisation of Suleja–Minna road to serve as gateway to the Minna airport to be used as alternative.

According to the Commissioner, Niger Government is ready to assist he federal government to make Minna airport an alternative for the period Abuja airport will be closed.

He said that Minna airport had the requisite facilities and manpower to serve as trusted alternative to the Nnamdi Azikiwe airport, Abuja, adding that the state was also known as one of most peaceful in the country.

He said that using Minna airport for the purpose would also reduce the suffering of travelers.

“In time like this, Minna airport should be used and in the most economic way, it should also be used as a cargo airport.

“Therefore, with the planned closure of Abuja airport for rehabilitation, it is wise economically to use Minna to serve Abuja.

“The proximity of Minna to Abuja is one hour plus if the dualisation work on Minna-Suleja road is fast tracked and completed as planned by the Federal Government.

“As government, we, therefore, call on the authorities to look into this viable alternative”.

The Ministry of Transportation had weeks ago announced that the Abuja airport would be closed for six weeks to carryout repair on the dilapidated runway advised airlines and passengers travelling to and from Abuja to use the Kaduna International Airport, about 211km from Abuja.