Nineteen senators were denied landing permits at Kashimbilla Airport in Taraba State due to a temporary shutdown, according to Senator David Jimkuta, who represents Taraba South Senatorial District.
Jimkuta revealed this during his Senatorial Empowerment Programme in Wukari, where he distributed various items to his constituents.
The lawmakers were part of a Senate delegation selected to accompany him to the programme, but all flight arrangements were cancelled when the airport shut down.
As the chairman of the Senate Committee on Federal Capital Territory Area Councils, Jimkuta expressed disappointment that the lawmakers couldn’t attend the event, which would have helped them assess the needs of the people and offer necessary support.
“I had invited my colleagues to come and see things for themselves, but unfortunately, they were not allowed to land,” Jimkuta said.
The distributed items included cars, motorcycles, tricycles, sewing machines, deep freezers, and vulcanizing machines, among others.
Jimkuta urged the beneficiaries not to sell the items but to use them to improve their lives. He also promised to provide logistics to security agencies to boost safety in the district.
The Chairman of the occasion, Chief David Kente, commended Jimkuta for the empowerment initiative, describing it as “unprecedented in the history of the district.”
Kente praised Jimkuta’s efforts in bringing development to the area, saying that his constituents were lucky to have him as their representative.
The empowerment programme was attended by various dignitaries, including traditional rulers, local government officials, and party leaders.
The event was seen as a significant milestone in Jimkuta’s efforts to empower his constituents and bring development to the area.
The temporary shutdown of the airport, however, raised concerns about the state of infrastructure in the country and the need for urgent attention to be given to the aviation sector.
The incident also highlighted the challenges faced by lawmakers in carrying out their oversight functions, particularly in rural areas where infrastructure is often lacking.
