4th July, 2016
The Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on Monday witnessed moderate movement of passengers ahead of the Eid-el-Fitri celebration as all flights were said to be fully booked.
The Federal Government had on Thursday declared Tuesday and Wednesday as public holidays ahead of the celebration nationwide.
Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said that the traffic was heavier at the weekend compared to Monday.
Yakubu said that the majority of the people might have travelled between Friday and Saturday, adding that the weekend could have helped reduced the usual rush.
She said that all flights had been fully booked since Friday, adding that all the flight for Monday had also been fully booked.
“I think that many people would have probably travelled since there was weekend before the holiday.
“What you are seeing today is nothing compared to what we experienced on Friday even though the airport is still busy and all flights are moving.”
Mr Abdullahi Saroke, Station Manager, Azman Airlines, said the passengers’ traffic was less on Monday compared to Friday, adding that many people could have travelled for Sallah already.
Saroko said that most Muslim government officials would have travelled to their various states as Monday was seen as half day by many people.
A passenger, Alhaji Musa Alkali, who said he was travelling to Kano for the celebration, urged all Muslim faithful to pray for the peace and economic prosperity of the nation.
Alkali said the current situation in the country required divine intervention and direction for President Muhammadu Buhari to address the myriad of challenges facing the country.
He also called on Nigerians, irrespective of their religion, ethnicity and political affiliations, to embrace peaceful co-existence to foster unity.
“The country is facing many challenges ranging from insecurity, unemployment, poor power supply and economic hardship arising from dwindling revenue of the government.
“We are also currently witnessing some political gimmicks that are also fuelling the issue of distrust among various ethnic groups in the country.
“We need to pray for the survival of this country and Mr President needs our prayers too.”