FG Approves Reopening of Worship Centres, Flight Operations from June 21
*As aviation minister denies demanding for bribe to approve flights
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday approved the reopening of worship centres which have been closed down as part of the moves to check the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The Chairman, President Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, who announced this during a press conference in Abuja said flight operations will also begin June 21
However, the worship centres will have to follow guidelines and protocols laid down by the PTF and state governments which implementation will begin from June 2.
Under the second phase of easing the lockdown, banks are to operate fully from 8 am to 4pm.
Other measures announced include a shift in the time of curfew from 10pm to 4am, as against 8am to 6am.
On flight operations, the National Coordinator of the PTF on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu said that airlines have been asked to develop a protocol for the resumption of domestic flights from June 21.
But he said international flight remains suspended.
The new date for flight operations came just as the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, denied ever asking or receiving bribe before flights are approved.
Sirika’s was reacting to allegations on Twitter by some Nigerians who accused the Ministry of Aviation of asking for bribe before flights are approved.
But Sirika at a press briefing in Abuja said,
“I have read also on Twitter that there are certain monies being charged for approval for flights. This is far from the truth. It’s for free. It’s just frivolous; it’s just a pen to be approved.
“Just send a text message, we will send them back as approved. So nobody should con anybody and people should stop living in the past.
“For us in this government, we are very conscious of the weight of responsibility on our heads. I’ve been minister five years now and I challenge anybody before all of these cameras.
“There’s not a single aviation business man or woman owning an aeroplane or any airline or doing any kind of business, catering, taxi, hotel, whatever it is, any business whatsoever within the aviation industry, or any permanent secretary, director or any civil servant or any public servant or whatsoever that has given me or I asked, who he offered, or I take any money and I challenge anybody today.
“There is freedom of information act in place. We will give you all of the information, all of the documents that are required.”
President Muhammadu Buhari Monday approved the reopening of worship centres which have been closed down as part of the moves to check the spread of coronavirus pandemic.
The Chairman, President Task Force on COVID-19, Mr Boss Mustapha, who announced this during a press conference in Abuja said flight operations will also begin June 21
However, the worship centres will have to follow guidelines and protocols laid down by the PTF and state governments which implementation will begin from June 2.
Under the second phase of easing the lockdown, banks are to operate fully from 8 am to 4pm.
Other measures announced include a shift in the time of curfew from 10pm to 4am, as against 8am to 6am.
On flight operations, the National Coordinator of the PTF on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu said that airlines have been asked to develop a protocol for the resumption of domestic flights from June 21.
But he said international flight remains suspended.
The new date for flight operations came just as the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, denied ever asking or receiving bribe before flights are approved.
Sirika’s was reacting to allegations on Twitter by some Nigerians who accused the Ministry of Aviation of asking for bribe before flights are approved.
But Sirika at a press briefing in Abuja said,
“I have read also on Twitter that there are certain monies being charged for approval for flights. This is far from the truth. It’s for free. It’s just frivolous; it’s just a pen to be approved.
“Just send a text message, we will send them back as approved. So nobody should con anybody and people should stop living in the past.
“For us in this government, we are very conscious of the weight of responsibility on our heads. I’ve been minister five years now and I challenge anybody before all of these cameras.
“There’s not a single aviation business man or woman owning an aeroplane or any airline or doing any kind of business, catering, taxi, hotel, whatever it is, any business whatsoever within the aviation industry, or any permanent secretary, director or any civil servant or any public servant or whatsoever that has given me or I asked, who he offered, or I take any money and I challenge anybody today.
“There is freedom of information act in place. We will give you all of the information, all of the documents that are required.”
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