Senator David Jimkuta, who represents Taraba South in the National Assembly, has denied a media report alleging that 18 Senators, including Senate Majority Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, were denied landing at Kashimbilla Airport. This denial was issued in response to claims regarding their planned attendance at his empowerment program in Taraba State.
In a statement signed by Adi Useni on behalf of his media team, Senator Jimkuta emphasized that the report was inaccurate and misleading. He explained the need to clarify the remarks he made about landing approvals at Kashimbilla Airport during an interview with newsmen.
Jimkuta commended the Honourable Minister of Aviation for working diligently to ensure that landing approvals were granted promptly. He clarified that flights could not operate on the scheduled date because the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) requires at least two weeks to conduct necessary tests on the control towers to ensure operational safety. This was the reason many of his colleagues were unable to attend the event.
The senator’s spokesman added that at no point did Jimkuta accuse anyone of deliberately denying access to the airport. When specifically asked if he believed the situation was intentional, he stated that it was a matter of safety, emphasizing that safety must always be the priority in aviation operations.
Senator Jimkuta urged media organizations to prioritize diligence and accuracy in their reporting. He expressed concern that despite the presence of multiple media outlets at the event, many relied solely on the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) for information without independent verification.
In conclusion, the senator remains committed to transparency and constructive engagement with all stakeholders to advance the interests of Taraba State and Nigeria as a whole.
