FAAN shuts Kebbi airport over N33m debts

Abiola Seun

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has concluded plans to close down the Kebbi state owned airport over debts owed the organisation

Investigation revealed that arrangement has been made by the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) to issue Notice To Air Men (NOTAM), to all airlines from flying into the airport as from midnight Monday, 27th September, 2021, when FAAN is expected to withdraw its services at the airport.

According to a source in FAAN, he said from 12 midnight Monday, FAAN will withdraw all its fire service and security personnel from the airport.

The source further disclosed that the Kebbi state government has been owing FAAN over N33m and has refused to pay since January 2021, despite series of letters to the state government.

“We are closing the Kebbi airport by 12 midnight Monday, they are indebted to us and we have written so many letters to the state government and there was no response and NAMA has already issued a NOTAM, on Friday to inform all airlines flying into the airport to keep off.”

According to the source, similar scenerio occured in 2019 when the state government rushed to pay after FAAN threatened to close the Kebbi airport over N53m.