The Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has called for the relocation of old buildings in the community around the Abuja International Airport.

Nwebonyi made this call in a now-trending video during the last plenary on Thursday.

The Deputy Senate Chief Whip said he wanted the vicinity around the airport to witness a total infrastructural transformation that is going on in the Federal Capital Territory by the Minister, Nyesom Wike, with the approval of his colleagues.

“I want the FCT Minister to extend his development of the FCT within the surroundings of Abuja Airport. If you are descending into the airport, the type of infrastructure within the environs does not represent a good image of Nigeria, and I think that the FCT minister should capture that in his next budget to either relocate the habitats or renew the area, because the buildings in the community are the mirror of the country.

“As you descend into the Abuja airport, if you consider the view, you will agree with me that it is an eyesore and doesn’t give a good image of the nation. I urge all my colleagues to support this important bill that will transform the country.

Reacting, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disagreed with the relocation of the habitats of the communities within the airport while comparing his state (Akwa Ibom), where what is likely to be seen are rivers.

“This community is some people’s village. The image of the nation does not start from where you are descending. When you are descending in my own state (Akwa Ibom), the things you will see are creeks and water. Are you saying that we should relocate that so it won’t spoil your eyes?”

Akpabio further put the bill to a voice vote at the plenary, and the sitting senators turned the bill down.