TheCable

The house of representatives has asked the federal government to urgently fix the escalators and lifts in the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

Onofiok Luke, lawmaker from Akwa Ibom and sponsor of the motion, on Thursday, also asked the government to provide more airside buses and conveying belts at the airport, including other federal airports across the country.

Luke said the breakdown, lack or paucity of certain infrastructure in some federal airports in the country had caused inconveniences, difficulty and delays to air travellers.

He added that since the breakdown of escalators and lifts at the NAIA, passengers have been forced to use the stairways.

“The dysfunctionality of the escalators and lifts is a major setback to the free movement of air travellers and causes serious inconveniences to the elderly and air travellers with disability,” Luke said.

“The insufficiency of airside buses at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in conveying passengers especially during the peak hours of 10 am to 12 noon, and the lack of conveying belts to convey passengers’ bags from checkpoints to baggage sorting areas, lead  to delay in flight departure.”

Presiding over the session, Femi Gbajabiamila, speaker of the house, mandated the committee on aviation to ensure compliance and report back within one month for further legislative action.