The ongoing cold war between Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi and Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, we gathered is threatening the activities of the Ministry of Transport.
According to pointblanknews, the ministers sources say nearly exchanged blows Monday over the placement of their portraits at the nation’s airports.
The development is leading to a loss of focus and lack of coordination in the
ministry.
This was observed recently whereby Amaechi was holding a maritime summit in Lagos while Sirika was chairing an aviation workshop in Abuja.
Interestingly, the seats of both ministers were vacant at both events.
Further checks showed that Amaechi was miffed at certain acts of insubordination displayed by the minister of state and the impression of a competitive atmosphere between the two ministers prompting Amaechi to order the removal of Sirika’s portraits at the airports and other strategic facilities under aviation.
Sirika is also believed to harbour the disposition that having come from Katsina State, where President Buhari hails, he should not be pushed around or take orders from Amaechi.
Workers in the ministry are shocked at the embarrassing altercation between the two ministers.
“It is a shame. Both ministers are embarrassing themselves publicly. It is a mess. And President Buhari on his part has been silent over this issue.
He should call them to order immediately. The aviation and transport sectors are very key sectors of our economy. We can’t continue to have two adults who should know better fighting over the pettiness of who is in charge or control of what. When two elephants fight, unfortunately, it is
the ground that suffers. Nigerians are the ones who will bear the brunt over this unnecessary squabble,” a senior official of the ministry said.
Reacting to the development yesterday, Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said his concern was the development of the aviation sector.
He denied any quarrel between him and his boss.
“The social media said that I and the Minister are fighting but that is not true. The fact that there are no pictures of me at airports, offices and agencies under aviation is based on my personal choice.
“I believe that my photo will not give Nigerians anything, rather, it is my actions that will. I don’t need my pictures on walls, they were there before but I ordered that they be removed. Photo will not give us good airports and runways, rather good governance and that is my challenge and target.
“Having pictures everywhere as far as I am concerned is very trivial, unnecessary and it is not my style”, he said.
“My pictures should be put on walls when I have worked. Having my pictures on walls is not the major reason why I was appointed to serve, my dream is to change the industry for better and when that is done, then my pictures can be put everywhere”, he said.
