Senate cannot stop planned demolition of aviation agencies’ buildings, says Sirika

Hadi Sirika, minister of aviation, says the senate cannot stop the planned demolition of buildings occupied by the sector’s agencies in Lagos.

The upper chamber had directed Sirika to stop the proposed demolition of the aviation agencies’ offices, pending the outcome of the intervention being made by its committee on aviation.

Addressing journalists after the federal executive council (FEC) meeting on Wednesday, the minister said the senate’s function is solely advisory, thus, it cannot prevent the demolition.

He said the planned exercise was to give way for better development in Lagos.

Sirika added that hotels, shopping malls, offices, cinemas, among others, would be constructed on the land expanse to generate more revenue for the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

“Government is going to continue, of course. The senate is advisory; it is an executive function, we are not bound by any court of law and the government cannot be stopped from giving development to its people,” he said.

“Just the other day, some houses were demolished by the Lagos government on our camp. We have been on that issue for sometime; we went up to supreme court and won and they had to give way for development. This is in national interest.

“There’s no individual that can drag it out with government. If I want to pull down this hall and build a better one, who is going to stop me as a government?

“So, I think it is not an issue, they are just overheating it and you know why. But we have a responsibility and mandate and we are not shy.

“We are very bold to do all those things that are good for our people. We are also a very responsive and responsible government…”

Last month, aviation workers embarked on a two-day strike to demand the suspension of the proposed demolition.