The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)

  • Another 180 Nigerians return from Libya

    In continuation of the repatriation of Nigerians from Libya, another batch of 180 citizens of the country will on Thursday return from the troubled North African countries.

    This is as another batch of Nigerians are awaiting deportation from Germany Thursday next week.

    A source close to Aviation Security (AVSEC), a department under the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) told our correspondent on Wednesday at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos that the returnees would be assisted back to the country by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), which has been responsible for repatriation of Nigerians from Libya in recent time.

    The returnees would also be received by officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the airport.

    Read Also: Sultan to Nigerians: choose your leaders wisely

    The returnees are Nigerians who had attempted to travel to Europe through the desert and Mediterranean Seas and other illegal channels, but were caught in the web of crisis that has engulfed Libya in recent time.

    The AVSEC source said that the deportees would return to the country through the Lagos Airport at 8pm through a chartered flight from Europe.

    Most of the deportees it was learnt are female while no fewer than three of them have medical issues.

    No fewer than 2,000 Nigerians have returned from Libya in the past one year through the Lagos Airport with many of them lamenting their sordid treatment in the North African country.

    Just recently, a batch of 171 Nigerians were returned from Libya for illegal migration.

    The returnees comprised 70 female adults including nine pregnant women, 90 male adults, three Children and eight infants while eight of them returned to the country with bad health related issues.

    The returnees had arrived the cargo wing of the Lagos Airport via Buraq Airline with the registration number 5A-DMG at about 8:25 p.m and flight number UZ589. NEMA said that the returnees were brought from Zintan District of Libya.

  • ICPC recovers 17 vehicles from ex- FAAN officials 

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has taken possession of seventeen vehicles that were recovered from ex officials of the Authority by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

    The vehicles were retrieved from officials of FAAN, who were removed from office in the last few years but failed to hand them over to the authority.

    At a handing over ceremony held at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos, the Director of Engineering Services, Engr Salisu Daura, who represented the Managing Director expressed delight at the partnership between the FAAN and ICPC.

    Read Also:Ebola: FAAN intensifies screening at Abuja airport

    Daura used the opportunity to thank the ICPC for their efforts at ensuring that the vehicles are not only recovered, but handed over to the Authority. He implored them to continue with the recovery exercise until all vehicles belonging to the Authority are handed over.

    Afterwards, the Zonal Commissioner, who represented the Chairman of ICPC at the event, Mr Shintema P. Binga handed over the keys of the vehicles to FAAN.

    Also in attendance were FAAN’s Director of Human Resources and Administration, Mr. Honourius Anozie, General Manager, Administration, Mr. Abubakar L. Othman, General Manager, Budget, Mr. Biodun Adegbesan, Deputy General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Christabel Eromosele, ICPC’s Head of Education, Mrs. Mary Omonoyan and others.

  • Ebola: FG steps up efforts at airports 

    ….FAAN, Port Health officials activate surveillance equipment

     

    Federal Government has stepped up efforts at major international airports to combat the spread of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) disclosed on Thursday.

    The authority said screening of out bound and inbound passengers is ongoing at major international airports, as it has activated existing surveillance equipment used for combating the deadly virus disease, which spread into Nigeria in 2014 through an American – Liberian, Patrick Sawyer.

    FAAN’s spokesperson, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said relevant agencies including the Port Health Services have been mobilized and are collaborating effectively to ensure the safety of passengers and other airport users.

    Investigations by The Nation reveal that passengers on flight to West African countries are being screened at the Lagos Airport.

    Though, there is no direct flight to Democratic Republic of Congo, some Nigerian carriers including: Arik Air, Air Peace, Medview Airlines fly into some West and Central African countries.

    Some African carriers including: Cronos Airlines, Air Cote D’ Ivoire, Asky Airlines, African World Airlines, Rwand Air, Kenyan Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and South African Airways operate flights into their operational hubs that link Democratic Republic of Congo.

    In a statement, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs. Yakubu confirmed:” Following a fresh outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has re-assured passengers and other airport users of safety across its network of airports.

    “Since   the first recorded case of the virus in Nigeria, through an American-Liberian, Patrick Sawyer, the Authority has not relaxed its surveillance at the airports to forestall any re-occurrence.

    “All equipment and personnel used in combatting the virus in 2014 are still very much at the airports.

    “We have always had thermal scanners in our airports that monitor temperature of passengers and capture their pictures. We still have hand sanitisers in our restrooms too. When passengers walk pass the scanners, it registers their temperature. If yours is high, you are pulled aside for observation.

    “Relevant agencies, including the Port Health Services have been mobilized and are collaborating effectively to ensure the safety of passengers and airport users at all time.”

    Read Also: FEC directs surveillance against Ebola

  • NEMA receives 149 Nigerians from Libya

    The National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA ) has received 149 Nigerians who voluntarily returned from Libya.

    The returnees arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. aboard a chartered flight operated by Buraq Airline with registration number 5A-DMG.

    The aircraft landed at about 10:45 p.m. at the Cargo Wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The returnees comprised of 107 male adults, 37 female adults including a medical case, four female children and one female infant.

    Mr Abrham Tamrat, the Programme Manager of International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Lagos, handed the returnees over to Alhaji Yakubu Suleiman, the South West Zonal Coordinator of NEMA.

    Suleiman thanked the IOM and the European Union ( EU ) for facilitating the repatriation of the Nigerians who had been stranded en route from Libya to Europe.

    Yakubu admonished the returnees to shun the urge of seeking greener pastures outside the country.

    He said that all nations in the world were facing various challenges as a result of global economic meltdown.

    The coordinator said the Nigerian economy had exited recession due to the ingenuity of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration, adding that they should join hand in building the country.

    “Nigeria has more than enough resources to cater for our needs but it is left for every one of us to tap from any of these abundant resources,” Suleiman said.

    He assured them that both the Federal and state governments had lots of incentives for their rehabilitation and reintegration to complement the efforts of EU and IOM.

    Also speaking, Tamat said the IOM had assisted over 7,000 Nigerians back from Libya under the voluntary return assistance programme and would continue to assist persons who indicate interest to return.

    The returnees were also received by officials of the Nigerian Immigration Service ( NIS ), the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP ), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) and the Nigeria Police.

    The telecommunications company, Airtel, in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Diaspora and Foreign Affairs, also gave the returnees free mobile cellphones and sim cards to facilitate their reintegration.

    NAN

  • Dana Air: Stranded passengers yet to retrieve luggage from damaged aircraft

    Dana Air: Stranded passengers yet to retrieve luggage from damaged aircraft

    The 49 passengers of the Dana Air plane that on Tuesday night skidded off the runway, while landing at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa in Rivers State are yet to retrieve their luggage from the damaged aircraft, almost 24 hours after the incident.

    The displeased passengers, as at press time Wednesday, were not sure of when their luggage, still inside the aircraft, would be released to them, to conclude the one hour journey they started from Abuja on Tuesday evening.

    It was also gathered at the airport that a team of experienced investigators and experts from Dana’s headquarters in Lagos arrived Port Harcourt yesterday morning and had been busy at the airport to ascertain what went wrong and the extent of damage to the plane, thereby ensuring thorough investigation.

    Officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Dana’s investigators at Port Harcourt airport did not allow reporters to join the team or move close to the scene of the incident.

    A female passenger, who spoke with our reporter, but pleaded not to be named, said: “I did not know what happened along the line, as the plane suddenly skidded off the runway. Everybody was just shouting and praying, before the aircraft finally stopped.

    “There was nobody to direct us or show us where to go. Everybody was just running helter, shelter. No medical service. We are here (at Port Harcourt International Airport) to get our luggage, but they said the manager is still at the incident’s scene.”

    An elderly male passenger, who also spoke with our reporter, but would not want his name in print, said: “We have been here (airport) as early as 8 a.m. today (Wednesday) to get our luggage, but they are not giving it to us.

    “As I speak with you, members of my family are not even aware of what is happening to me, because my phones are inside my bag in the plane.”

    None of the officials of Dana, a fully private-sector-owned carrier, which commenced flight operations on November 10, 2008 and FAAN at the airport was ready to speak with our reporter, even anonymously, on the flight number 9J0363, what went wrong and the extent of damage to the aircraft.

    The plane skidded off the runway, because of sudden heavy rain, which was accompanied by strong wind and storm, while FAAN officials, on Tuesday night, evacuated the passengers and crew members, without any casualty.

    FAAN’s General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, stated that the aircraft overshot the runway, while Dana’s Corporate Communications Manager, Kingsley Ezenwa Okwudili, noted that bad weather and torrential rain at the time of landing, was responsible for the incident, with all passengers and crew members disembarking safely.

    Read Also: Dana Air plane skids off runway in Port Harcourt

  • Unregistered firm carries out ground handling operations at Lagos Airport

    Unregistered firm carries out ground handling operations at Lagos Airport

    An unregistered ground handling company, Menzies Aviation Wednesday carried out ground handling operations at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos without regulatory approval.

    Investigation by our correspondent indicated that the ground handling company was still undergoing certification processes with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), before it carried out the alleged illegal ground handling operations.

    An NCAA source told The Nation  that the ground handling agent  handled Air Cote d’Ivoire at Lagos Airport.

    The flight departed from Abidjan.

    Investigations revealed that the ground handling company has its headquarters in Dublin, Scotland, but has its base in Accra, Ghana.

    In a swift reaction, spokesman of NCAA, Sam Adurogboye,  in a telephone interview  confirmed the development, .

    He said the NCAA has commenced investigations on the issue.

    A source close to NCAA told The Nation that  the unregistered company used the license of Precision Aviation Handling Company Ltd (PAHCOL), which was issued certification by the regulatory body some few years ago, but could not commence operations due to lack of equipment.

    Besides, it was gathered that Menzies Aviation used the ground handling equipment of Arik Air to carry out ground handling operations on the West African carrier. Arik Air is not licensed to do ground handling for another airline, but has the right to handle some of its operations.

    The source said: “The handling company came in without an operating license and they rendered handling services to Air Cote d’Ivoire today (yesterday). It indicates that our airports are porous to the extent that an unregistered ground handling company will operate in our airport. They borrowed Arik Air equipment to commence handling meanwhile Arik Air is not a ground handling company. How did their staff get to the ramp?

    “The company used PACHOL license, which NCAA has already told them that it is not transferable. NCAA actually told them to do the proper thing that if they want to come into Nigeria, they should go and register while the agency carries out security checks on them. They know that if they use PACHOL name to operate, the company cannot attract foreign and big airlines. So, they claimed to be Menzies to clients in order to attract airlines.

    “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) did not give them apron pass; they now went to use Arik equipment to get to the apron area to commence operations. They are using PACHOL licence and Arik equipment to deceive clients and FAAN.”

    A security source said such act was a breach of security standards and should attract severe sanctions from the regulatory agency.

    The security source said before any company could carry out operations at the airport, it ought to go through security checks, which he said the company had violated with commencement of operations without due approval.

    Adurogboye said the regulatory agency was investigating the issue and confirmed that the agency had been reported to the management.

    He said: “The matter has been reported to us. I have been able to confirm that and NCAA is looking at all angles on the matter. We will look at the aspect of registration. Do they have the appropriate clearance to do what they did?

    “We know they applied to NCAA for ground handling business, but what we are looking at is whether they were certified to start operating. We are investigating their operations.”

     

  • FAAN begins evacuation of disused aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    FAAN begins evacuation of disused aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    …Set to install CCTV cameras at airside to forestall aircraft poaching

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) has commenced evacuation of abandoned aircraft at the airside of the Murtala Muhammed Airport ( MMA ), Lagos.

    This is just as plans have also reached an advanced stage for the agency to install Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras at the strategic locations within the airside in order to forestall aircraft poaching and other incidences.

    At least, 13 aircraft belonging to different airlines have been abandoned at the airside of the airport for several years with their owners reluctant to relocate them despite several warnings issued by the agency in the past.

    Disclosing  this yesterday in an interview, FAAN, General Manager, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, said at least 13 aircraft have been abandoned at the airside by different airlines in the past years.

    She gave the names of the aircraft relocated last Friday by the agency as Associated Air, IRS, Dana Air and Hak Air. Others that would be moved today are aircraft belonging to the liquidated carrier, Air Nigeria, Associated Cargo, Bellview, JedAir, Precision Aviation Handling Company and PAC, TopBrass and others.She lamented that FAAN had severally told the owners of these aircraft to relocate them away from where they are presently abandoned without any fruitful response from them, stressing that where they are presently abandoned constitute danger to safety and smooth operations of aircraft.

    So far, she said four of the abandoned aircraft were relocated last Friday while additional four would be moved .

    She said the relocation became necessary in order to give more space for airworthy aircraft to land, take off and manoeuvre as expected during operations at the airside, insisting that FAAN would continue to take safety and comfort of airport users as a top priority.

    She said: “As at Friday, we moved four aircraft from the airside and the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of Lagos airport told me again this morning (yesterday) that they are going to move another set of four aircraft. We have about 13 aircraft abandoned at the airside.

    “We have taken the legal issues into consideration, if you agree with me; these aircraft are not helping us in anyway. They are taking up a lot of space. Space for aircraft landing and taking off are being taken by these aircraft.

    “The airports belong to FAAN, which means that it is the property of the Federal Government and there is no airline that is bigger than Nigeria. Nigeria has given them a long time to be able to move their aircraft and they have refused to do this. FAAN is not taking possession of their aircraft, but we are moving them away from where they are to another place within the airport where they will not serve as eyesore and where they will not constitute nuisance to activities on our airside.

    “What we are doing is part of the services FAAN is providing; comfort and security. So, for security, these aircraft have been abandoned at the airport for long and miscreants can just go in there and do whatever they want. We want our airports to look beautiful and fine, the aircraft that are littered around, it defaces the beauty of our airside.”

    She also disclosed that very soon, FAAN would procure and install CCTV cameras at strategic places within the airside to further improve security at that part of the airport.

    Apart from this, she explained FAAN had embarked on grass cutting at the airside to ensure improved safety and prevention of security within that area of airport.

    “What we had in the past was that the ‘Follow Me’ vehicle used to be in the front of aircraft, but we have decided to reverse the order. The vehicles are now at the back of the aircraft to ensure that the aircraft go to parking bay without any incident or aircraft poaching,” she added.

  • ICRC moves to resolve concession disputes between FAAN, MMA2

    ICRC moves to resolve concession disputes between FAAN, MMA2

    The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission ( ICRC ) said on Monday that it will deploy everything within its ability to ensure the concession dispute between the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services is resolved.
    The Commission, which is saddled with the responsibility of monitoring and ensuring the efficient execution of all A Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects entered  into by MDAs on behalf of the Federal Government said it has continued to engage Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State on Aviation since his  assumption of office on these challenges and believe they will be resolved soon enough in order to strengthen the relationship between the parties.
    Recall that the MMA2 and the Hotel and Conference Centre concessions awarded to Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited as a PPP project for the design, engineering, procurement, construction, completion, commissioning, operations and transfer has been  experiencing  several challenges.
    The terminal which took off in 2007 was given out in concession by FAAN, as representative of the federal government on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis, but while BASL insists that the concession agreement was for 36 years and that the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) belongs to the company in cognizance of the agreement, FAAN insists that it did not endorse 36 years for the concession but 12 years and that GAT was not part of the agreement.
    Speaking during a visit by the commission to MMA2, yesterday, Chidi Izuwah, acting Director General ICRC said he was aware of the challenges between the both parties adding that “We want to listen to both parties as an independent regulator, we want to physically access the situation and challenges on ground in order to Bette appreciate the positions by FAAN and Bi-Courtney and thereafter suggest possible line of action in resolving these issues.
    “We are interested in having an update from the parties on the performance of the related projects; we want to understand the challenges facing the operators, as well as the grantor of the contracts and the various steps taken towards resolving these challenges; we want to hear from the parties their requests to the government in ensuring the projects are efficiently implemented for the overall benefits to the government.”
    Also speaking during the visit, Wale Babalakin, Chairman , Bi-Courtney Aviation Services said if Nigeria intends to encourage private sector participation in the infrastructural development of the country it must abide by international regulations; government and its agencies must respect and abide by concession agreements.
    Babalakin denied the allegation that it was Bi-Courtney that drafted the concession agreement and also noted that the company was not the winner of the concession, but Royal Standerton, which was the preferred bidder; however, Bi-Courtney inherited the concession when the later could not meet the pace of work expected by the federal government.
    Also speaking on behalf of FAAN, Monica Alphonse, the Deputy General Manager, Public Private Partnership, said that GAT has never been part of the concession agreement and that the monopoly status that stated that no other airport terminal should be developed during the course of the concession period by BASL may have taken cognizance of the fact that the concession was for 12 years.
    Alphonse described such clauses that gave BASL such advantage as antitrust and pro-monopoly, adding that the agreement should have been renegotiated if the concession was designed for 36 years and noted, that “such agreement is repugnant to natural justice.”
    She said that FAAN was willing to ensure that the problem between it and BASL over the concession was resolved. BASL officials also spoke in the same vein.
  • Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    Truck hits Air Peace aircraft at Lagos Airport 

    A truck operated by one of the ground handling companies on Thursday rammed into and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos, disrupting some of its flights.

    The incident occurred in the morning during the loading of passengers’ luggage into the cargo hold of the aircraft scheduled to service the carrier’s Lagos-Uyo route.

    A statement issued by the Corporate Communications Manager of Air Peace, Mr. Chris Iwarah said the door of the rear cargo hold of the aircraft was impacted and damaged in the incident.

    The aircraft, it added, had been declared unserviceable. The airline’s Uyo-bound passengers, the statement said, were rescheduled to fly later in the day.

    The airline said it deeply regretted the disruption of its Lagos-Uyo service and the delay the incident caused its passengers. It assured that arrangements had been made to take the affected passengers to their destinations.

    It would be recalled that a truck belonging to another ground handling company also hit and damaged an aircraft belonging to Air Peace at the Benin Airport in April this year.

    Air Peace confirmed that officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) were already investigating the incident at the Lagos airport on Thursday.

  • Yuletide: FAAN assures air travelers of safety

    Yuletide: FAAN assures air travelers of safety

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria ( FAAN ) has assured air travelers and other airport users that her network of airports across the country were fully prepared for the usual surge in passenger traffic that is the norm during the yuletide.

    FAAN gave the assurance in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, on Monday in Lagos.

    Yakubu noted that security had been beefed up at all airports, especially the major international gateways in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

    According to her, this is to ensure that passengers and airport users make use of airport facilities, without any security threat.

    She said: “At our premier airport, the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, a multi-storey car park was recently inaugurated to ease ground facilitation.

    Read also: 2 people killed as Boko Haram ambush travelers

    “The VIP lounge has also been renovated to enhance passenger comfort, the carousels are working optimally, amidst other facilities upgrade currently ongoing.

    “The stories are similar at all other airports, as the authority has put in place facilities, procedures and systems to ensure maximum comfort, safety and security of airport users during this season and beyond.”

    Yakubu, however, advised travelers to get to the airports early to conclude all check-in procedures in good time, in order to avoid the experience of missing their flights.

    “This is important because of the heavy passenger traffic that is usually the experience around this time and the ongoing construction work by the Lagos State Government on Airport Road, Lagos,’’ she added.

    NAN