The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)

  • Senate summons Sirika, others over air mishaps

    Senate summons Sirika, others over air mishaps

    The Senate Tuesday resolved to invite Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to brief it on steps taken by his ministry to minimize air mishaps in the country.

    Apart from Sirika, who is mandated appear before the Senate in plenary, the upper chamber also invited heads of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) and every other relevant agency in the aviation industry to give a full briefing on the steps that have been taken to minimise human errors and avoid preventable air crashes.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion on “The need to minimize the possibility of Air Mishaps and Near Fatalities in Nigeria,” sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa (Lagos East) and eight others.

    Ashafa in his lead debate prayed the Senate to observe that on the 20th of February, 2018 the story of a near fatal incident involving Dana Airlines with number 9J0363 hit the news waves.

    He noted that it was reported that the aircraft overshot the runway upon landing at the Port Harcourt Airport, on a flight from Abuja.

    He said that the incident was attributed to the wet surface of the runway

    Ashafa recalled that “just a few weeks before the afore stated event, there was also panic on Wednesday, 7th of February, 2018, when the emergency door of an aircraft conveying passengers to Abuja fell off upon landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe, International Airport in Abuja.”

    The Lagos East lawmaker said that he is aware that while the said aircraft was cleared to return to service on the same day by the relevant authorities the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), “an experienced pilot interviewed was of the opinion that the aircraft might have experienced a component failure.”

    He noted that report quoted the pilot to have said “What happened is likely to be a component failure due to hand landing. It couldn’t have fallen off when the aircraft was airborne because the aircraft cabin is pressurised. It is very difficult for that to happen but it could fall off when the aircraft is on the ground”;

    He expressed concern that “these recent occurrences might be a sign of a sequence of human errors, caused by the failure of  officials and staff of the agencies saddled with the responsibility of guaranteeing safety to carry out their due diligence before issuing clearance for aircrafts to operate within the Nigerian airspace.”

    Ashafa further recalled with sadness that Nigeria has experienced a significant number of air catastrophes that cost the lives of hundreds of Nigerians, due to a range of causes including human and technical error.

    He said that a chronicle of air mishaps caused by human error as reported  an article titled: Human errors, dereliction of duty are major causes of plane crashes in Nigeria, stated as follows: ”Avoidable human errors and dereliction of duty by public officials working in the aviation sector have been major reasons for the loss of hundreds of lives in air crashes in Nigeria, reports by the Aviation Investigation Bureau (AIB) have shown.”

    The report, he said, stated further that:”Some of the human errors identified by AIB as causes of the plane crashes include non-lightening of runways and airfields, poorly constructed drainage culverts, inaccurate information by the control tower, lack of proper certification of radio operators and poor supervision of aircraft imported into the country.”

    He stated with concern that “it is against this backdrop that it has now become imperative to move with speed and  alacrity in order to ensure that all relevant agencies in the Aviation industry do their work with excellence and minimal human error in order to prevent avoidable loss of human lives.”

    All senators who contributed to the motion agreed that urgent steps should be taken to fix the aviation section in the interest of the flying public.

    Read Also: Senate seeks immediate end to NASU strike

  • FAAN records 68% revenue increase from automation of MMIA car park

    FAAN records 68% revenue increase from automation of MMIA car park

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) says monthly revenue has gone up by 68 per cent following the introduction of automated operation at the new car park at the Murtala Muhammed Airport ( MMIA ), Lagos.

    Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, told newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday that the automation had blocked revenue loopholes since the exercise began at the car park on Jan. 8.

    She said the new system had also reduced rowdiness and vehicular traffic associated with the manual toll collection at the park.

    Yakubu said FAAN would review the performance of the exercise by the end of this quarter and make adjustments where necessary for better service delivery.

    She explained that the authority decided to overhaul the whole system to restore orderliness and reduce complaints from passengers and airport users.

    “Then, we were wondering if all the people that park their vehicles at the car park are airport workers and travelers.

    “Also, we are in an era of technology where people no longer do things manually, but automated.

    “That was what prompted FAAN into introducing automation in its operations. Since we started, there has been a lot of sanity at the car park; there is a lot of orderliness,’’she said.

    According to her, the long queues experienced in the past has been brought under control.

    “If you are not dropping, you are encouraged to go to the car park and do your business there, rather than parking on the road and creating traffic jam,” she added.

    Yakubu said FAAN was also planning to construct a multi-storey automated car park within the General Aviation Terminal, explaining that it would help to boost the agency’s revenue generation.

    Yakubu also disclosed that FAAN was also working on the poor toilet facility at the International Wing of the MMIA.

    “We are doing complete overhaul of the facility so that we can have new toilets for users.

    “We have been getting a lot of complaints from our customers on the state of our toilets. You know MMIA is an old airport and what we are doing is in line with our core value of comfort for passengers and other users of the airport.

    “We believe it’s necessary for us to remove obsolete ones and replace them with new ones, while we are waiting for a new terminal,” she added.

    NAN

  • Lagos flags off Oshodi-Int’l Airport road

    Lagos flags off Oshodi-Int’l Airport road

    The Lagos State Government on Monday flagged off the reconstruction of the Oshodi-International Airport Road, with a pledge to complete the project within the next fifteen months.

    The State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode had last month at the quarterly Town Hall Meeting held in Badore area of Ajah, announced that the reconstruction of the road, which is a major gateway to the country, would commence in September, and that the construction would facilitate the transformation of the road to a world class standard.

    Specifically, the design of the project include the reconstruction and expansion of the existing carriage to three-lane Expressway on both directions, construction of two-lane Service Road in both directions, construction of Ramp Bridge to provide a U-turn from Ajao Estate to Airport, construction of a flyover at NAHCO/Toll Gate and drainage works.

    Others include the removal of existing Pedestrian Bridge at Ajao Estate and construction of Pedestrian Bridges at Ajao Estate and NAHCO/Hajj Camp, construction of Slip Road to provide access to Ajao Estate, construction of Lay-bys and installation of Street Lights, among others.

    Speaking while flagging off the project, the State’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr Adebowale Akinsanya said the commencement of the project was in line with the commitment of the present administration to transform the entire axis, being the major gateway to the country’s commercial nerve centre.

    He said the State Government took it upon itself to undertake the reconstruction of the road being one of the busiest roads in the State with vehicular volumes averaging 50,000 vehicles daily, and that its poor state was not acceptable for the status of the State as the fifth largest economy in Africa and the nation’s commercial hub.

    He said some of the fences along the corridor have been identified to be within the right of way, but that government would minimize the impact of the project on property owners.

    He said in order to properly carry along people of the area, a stakeholders’ meeting will hold on Thursday to sensitize the people whereby they will have an opportunity to ask the necessary questions.

    He said to fast-track the project, three group of workers will work on the project and they would work day and night, while upon completion, the project will be linked to the Oworonshoki reclamation project, which is also ongoing and is aimed at transforming the corridor to a major entertainment and tourism hub.

    The Commissioner, however, urged residents and motorists to cooperate with government while the construction will last, saying that the intention was to transform the area.

    “There will be some minor inconveniences but we are going to try to mitigate the impact. The work will be accelerated. The project is to make life easier for everybody. We just want to appeal to people to cooperate with us. We will be here to talk to the people in case of any issue and we are also working with our partner, the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN),” the Commissioner said.

    Also speaking, Managing Director of Planet Projects, the firm that designed the project, Mr. Biodun Otunola said prior to the commencement of the construction, adequate feasibility studies were carried out, and that the project, upon completion, would facilitate total transformation of Oshodi and International Airport corridor.

    He said in as much as there would not be alternative roads created specifically for the project, adequate measures have been put in place to educate the public on the staging that would be developed, saying that the project would be executed in phases, while motorists will make use of other sections of the road during construction work on a particular section.

    Otunola, whose company is also handling the construction of the Oshodi Transport Interchange, said by the time the road project and the interchange are completed, the whole axis would have been transformed to world class standard.

    “The desire of the State Government under Governor Ambode is to ensure that this whole corridor is turned into an international corridor so that investors and the people can be proud that we have an international gateway that we all can be proud of.

    “We are not just building roads, we are thinking of the transportation implication and so there is a bus reform project that is ongoing and every part of Lagos will be connected by bus and that is why this road project will be linked to the Oshodi interchange. So, there will be about 20 lay-bys, bus terminals and so on which are all flowing from the same Master plan for this area,” he said.

  • Commercial flights resume in Abuja airport Wednesday

    Commercial flights resume in Abuja airport Wednesday

    FORTY-ONE days after its runway was shut for major repairs, the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NNIA), Abuja, will re- open today, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Managing Director Saleh Dunoma said yesterday.

    According to Dunoma, everything about the Abuja Airport runway was ready and awaiting the certification of the aerodrome by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ascertain compliance with operational standards.

    He said the certification will be completed in two days, before the airport runway will open for commercial flights on Wednesday.

    Dunoma told reporters that the two-day certification window will to allow NCAA to make corrections and on any area in line with civil aviation requirements.

    He said: “We will be ready by Monday (April 17, 2017). But, we are leaving the remaining two days for the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). This is because the NCAA has to certify the airport that what we have done is in accordance with their standards.

    “After the NCAA does that, we will bring in the traffic. But if they do not, we have the opportunity of making corrections with the two days we have saved.”

    On the reopening of the runway on Wednesday, Dunoma said: “No doubt about that, we will open it as scheduled. Just as I have said, we have been working with the NCAA throughout the period. They have been making corrections. But, for formality, we need to check and make sure that all the necessary corrections meet the requirement of the civil aviation authority.

    “All the critical items of work are hundred per cent ready, except may be two items, which of course is the markings and the cleaning. Other critical item which is not serious work is the inspection by the NCAA who will come and certify that the repairs that had been carried out is satisfactory and give us the go ahead to bring in traffic to Abuja.

    “Asphalt work is hundred per cent complete; markings have reached almost seventy per cent; and the airfield lighting system has attained eighty per cent completion.”

    Responding to when the NCAA will carry out their inspection and certify the runway, he said: “We have written to them and they will come to do the preliminary inspection. If there is any observation as a result of the inspection, we will now make sure we carry out corrections.”

    On the terminal building: “We are improving on all the services there and repairing all the items that are bad. It will be ready by Monday (tomorrow). Most of the items there have been completed. We are just trying to clean up.”

    He said that FAAN has carried out other minor repairs at Abuja Airport, taking advantage of the closure as the perfect timing.

    Dunoma said: “There is additional work which has nothing to do with this repair but we are seizing the opportunity of the closure of the airport to do.

    This has to do with the APEX (Airport Excellence in Safety)-related items.  We are now levelling all the airfield lightings’ locations, all the installations and flash with the ground surface. In case of any skidding, there will not be concrete projection above the ground surface.”

    Concerning the calibration of Navigational Aids, he said: “We have not tampered with the Navids. We just worked on the runway. What we tampered with is the airfield lightings and the airfield lightings are being returned to the same position.

    “The runway does not need calibration. All we need to check is to make sure there is 100 per cent illumination. Calibration is done periodically. When the time comes for calibration, the appropriate authority will calibrate the Instrument Landing System (ILS).”

    The Abuja airport was shut on March 8 for six weeks to enable Julius Berger rebuild the 3.6-kilometre runway.

    The runway, which was constructed in 1982 was meant to last for 20 years, but had been in use for 35 years without major repairs and maintenance.

  • FAAN gives Abuja airport terminal new look

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has embarked on complete rehabilitation of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (NAIA) terminal ahead of its scheduled reopening on April 19.

    Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the airport on Friday, reports that work was going on at the Terminal B of both the international and domestic wings of the airport.

    The Bureau de change stand at the terminal has been dismantled, most parts of the building were being repainted and the public toilets were also being fixed.

    The Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu who spoke with NAN said the ongoing renovation was to ensure that airport reopens with well-equipped facilities that would meet global standard.

    Yakubu said the bureau de change stand would be rebuilt into new style to meet with international standard in line with International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standard practice.

    She explained that the style being currently used in Nigeria was not in accordance with what obtained in other airports especially in the developed countries.

    The spokesperson added that the authority, being also mindful of the plight of the physically challenged and aged persons had decided to provide lift and escalators at the departure hall.

    According to her, the stand will not be relocated but will be rebuilt to standard as prescribed by ICAO.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika had on Thursday, disclosed that by April 19 when the airport would be reopened, it would be wearing new look.

    Sirika said that FAAN was doing complete rehabilitation of the terminal B of the international wing with escalators and lift at the departure for the physically challenged and aged persons.

    According to him, the airport is opening on April 19 with better runway, better facilities and will be more efficient and compliant with ICAO protocol on standard and best practices.

    “Also, we are opening a lounge for the physically challenged and elderly and this is a response from the feedback that we get.

    “In terminal B building also, lift, toilets and other ancillary facilities will be provided.

    “The closure of this airport also means that we improve the terminal to be more robust and create a seamless flow of international and local passengers,” he said.

    The Federal Government had on March 8 shut the airport for six weeks to enable Julius Berger carryout complete repair of its failed 3.6 kilometres runway.

    NAN reports that the rehabilitation work has reached 57 per cent completion three weeks after the closure.

     

  • Abuja Airport repairs, 40% completed, work on schedule – FAAN, Contractor

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Julius Berger, the contractor handling the repair of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja runway, have said that the work is 40 per cent completed.

    The duo gave made this known in Abuja on Monday when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation led by its Chairman, Mrs. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, inspected the project.

    Mr. Yemi Ayelesan, Resident Engineer, FAAN, told the committee that the hardest part of the work, which is mailing of the 3.6 kilometres runway, had been completed.

    He explained that the laying of “fibre glide rubber” which prevents water from going deep underground and also prevent runway from cracking has also been completed.

    He told the committee that the contractors are working to specifications and would deliver on schedule, expressing confidence that the six weeks period for reopening of the airport was feasible.

    According to him, the contractors are working round the clock to ensure that they meet the deadline.

    Ayelesan said the repair work was a total reconstruction and not partial rehabilitation, explaining that the entire runway had been excavated for laying of asphalt.

    He said there were isolated areas that were so bad that required digging deeper beyond mailing and laying of asphalt, stating that the entire surface were mailed to a certain depth.

    According to him, there is nothing like partial rehabilitation, even the taxi way is being repaired.

    “Laying asphalt does not take time; it is the easiest part of the work.

    “The lighting system is the next step, and the cable can be fixed within two days, as things are now, we will start fixing the light cable on March 29,’’ he said.

    Dr Lai’s Richter, Project Manager, Julius Berger, said the work was being done in line with the programme of work.

    Richter said the fixing of the lighting cable would commence on Wednesday, restating that the runway repairs would be completed before April 19 deadlines.

    The Chairman of the House Committee, Onyejeocha, said their visit was to seek explanation on the level of work so far in line with the project agreement.

    She also raised concern as to whether the repair work was a total reconstruction or partial repair, urging the contractor to ensure the completion of the project as scheduled.

    “We want them to know that Nigerians are concerned and that there should be no extension of the completion date based on the agreement that we have put in place,” she said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the contractors have recorded progress within 19 days since the commencement of work.

    The runway was shut on March 8 for six weeks for its total repair and Abuja flights diverted to Kaduna pending the completion of the repair work.

     

  • Kaduna Airport ready for international operations – FAAN, NAMA

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) say the Kaduna International Airport is now set for international operations.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, said the organisation has installed all safety equipment needed for the operation.

    “All the things we need for international operations are on ground. What is important actually is the safety equipment for the landing of the aircraft.

    “We have seen the runway is good, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) has been installed and the terminal building is ready.

    “The contractor has been directed by the Acting President to redouble his effort so that the remaining items of work that are remaining should be completed before the commencement of the international operations in Kaduna.

    “I think this is one of the luckiest airports; they have five generators as standby power supply. So we have more than enough,’’ he said.

    Similarly, Mr. Fola Akinkuotu, Managing Director of NAMA, said once the Abuja Airport was closed, NAMA would deploy the mobile tower from the airport to Kaduna to complement what is already on ground.

    He said that NAMA management had certified the capability of Kaduna Airport, adding that its engineers have done a good job on it.

     “As far as this (Kaduna) airport is concerned, NAMA management, we are very satisfied that we have done a good job.

    “At the inception of the project, the ILS (Instrument Landing System) was not accessible but as of today, I can tell you that not only have we installed a brand new ILS, we have also calibrated it.

    “We have a calibration certificate from a UK concern.

    “On the facilities for landing, like I said, the ILS which comprises the glide scope and localizer have been calibrated and they have been found satisfactory like 10 on 10.

    “Apart from that, we also have the approach light that actually complement and make sure that they have the ILS,’’ he said.

    The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, announced the use of the Kaduna airport as alternative for the Abuja airport that would be closed for six weeks for repairs of its runway.

     

  • FAAN hindering development of MMA2 – Babalakin

    FAAN hindering development of MMA2 – Babalakin

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) should be held responsible for the stunted development of Murtala Mohammed Airport 2, the Chairman Bi- Courtney Group Nigeria Limited, Wale Babalakin said Thursday.

    Babalakin, who spoke at the ongoing 4-day public Hearing by the Nkiruka Onyejeocha- headed  House committee on Aviation in Abuja also alleged that FAAN has refused to pay damages of N132 billion to Bi- Courtney as ruled by Justice Olotu of the Federal High Court on the 3rd of March 2009.

    The judgement which was in favour of Bi- Courtney Limited required that FAAN relinquished GAT to Bi- Courtney as well as pay damages of N132 billion.

    He said the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has violated and desecrated the principles of the Rule of Law failing to execute judgment made by the Federal High Court.

    Babalakin also said that FAAN delayed the development of the airport.

    Explaining the processes that culminated in Bi- Courtney getting the airport project, he said: “In 2000, after the old Lagos Domestic Terminal was destroyed by fire, FAAN advertised for a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer (DBOT) concession in two national newspapers which was given to Standerton but was unable to execute.

    “After 12 month, the BCL was invited as reserve bidder. BCL executed concession agreement with Federal Government and FAAN in April 2003 after two years of extensive negotiation

    ” FAAN provided an inadequate design that was a large warehouse, like the old Abuja Terminal. BCL, influenced by international standards especially South Africa, redesigned, and this was approved by the Ministry of Aviation.

    According to him, “the airport had in the approved design Hotel, conference Facilities, Mono Rail,Fuel Hydrant and Power plant but because of FAAN’s resistance, these projects were delayed.”

    He further stated that the process of the concession, which led to BCL taking over the burnt former domestic terminal of the Lagos airport to build the modern terminal was transparent.

    On the court case that gave his company the huge judgement benefit, he said: “FAAN did not defend itself properly at the court Bi- Courtney defended itself vigorously and won the case.

    “Sanderton was forced to discontinue against Stabilini Visinoni (SVL) and Bi-Courtney. FAAN lost the case. If any judgment was obtained against FAAN, it was due to poor conduct of its case. Bi-Courtney cannot be responsible for FAAN’s dereliction of duty.”

    He prayed the committee to urge FAAN “to comply with the laws of Nigeria; allow MMA2 to continue its development; complete the handover of GAT and the neighbouring plot already allotted to MMA2; commence the regional flights for which there is approval..”

    He further states: “We have an agreement on this issue and have spent a fortune inmcomplying with the requirements.”

    However, Monica Alphonse, who represented FAAN said the Agency was not part of the committee that examined the agreement.

    “FAAN was never involved, it never had a representative in signing the agreement so there is no way as far as FAAN was concerned that the committee existed.

    “When we constituted the agreement, GAT was not involved in the area given to Bi-Courtney. GAT never formed part of the concession. It cannot be handed over through a mere letter but has to be through a cogent agreement.

    Bi-Courtney’s agreement on the development of the airport was terminated by FAAN because the contract was delayed, Alphonse said.

    Her words: “Last year FAAN had an agreement with Bi-Courney on the termination and a new agreement was made but up till this day Bi-Courtney has not commenced work on that site.”

    Nkiruka Onyejeocha, chairperson of the committee explained that the need to review the concessions was part of the reasons for the hearing, adding that it would ultimately culminate in a better Aviation sector that will be a pride to the country.