Security

Military Foils Another Attack on FAAN Quarters in Kaduna

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Junior and Senior staff living in the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN staff quarters at the Kaduna airport are evacuating the area as another attempt was made Sunday morning by armed bandits to abduct aviation staff.

The attempt was said to have been foiled by the military who were informed immediately on noticing the bandits who came in through the air side of the airport.

Barely a week plus today, about 12 persons were reportedly abducted by the bandits when they attacked the staff quarters.

The affected staff said they were in serious danger as the runway 23 and 05 that served as the gateway for the bandits were not properly secured.

Nosa Aituamen

Transportation

FAAN Moves To Block Wastages, Improve Efficiency

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced cashless policy and plugging some loopholes in the system to optimize its revenue generation collection, reduce cost and promote efficiency.

Managing Director, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, who stated this during the House Committee on Aviation visit to the agency’s facilities at the Lagos Airport said, management had taken some concrete steps to improve revenue generation and curb spending in recent months.

Some of the steps taken according to Captain Yadudu included the suspension of procurement of non-essential items, reduction in all staff-related cost to the barest and aggressive debt recovery drive hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Others are plugging of revenue loopholes, cash and fly policy, promotion and enforcement of cashless policy and the continuous strengthening of business and operational excellence by improving on people, processes, platforms and performances.

He added: “In keeping with our vision and mission, we have strategically positioned ourselves to ensure that we have modern and up-to-date high-tech equipment and facilities that will aid better security, safety and comfort of all stakeholders.

“I will like to say that aviation business is a global, technical and highly regulated with huge infrastructure requirements; furthermore, it is necessary to reiterate that aviation business is driven by volumes and turnaround with an operating profit margin of between 2.5 per cent to 5 per cent. Without the required volumes and traffic, it will be difficult to break even.”

“The aviation agencies will urgently need intervention fund from the Federal Government to address infrastructural gaps and position the industry for better service delivery and contribution to the national economy.”

The FAAN boss also disclosed that the new terminal under construction by CCECC would be ready for use by February 2021.

According to him, the terminal would have been completed this December, but the emergence of Covid-19 pandemic slowed down its completion.

The House Committee on Aviation Chairman, Mr Nnolim Nnaji, lauded FAAN for steps taken so far to improve services for airlines, air travellers and other users of the airports nationwide.

He emphasised that there had been some improvements in the facilities at the airports in the last one year, despite the challenges of 2020 and charged the management of FAAN to invest more on safety and security infrastructure.

He said: “The worst we had was the Covid-19 pandemic. We are happy that the industry is coming back. As you can see, a lot of things were abandoned because of lots of things and now, contractors are coming back to site.”

“Last year, we noticed that there was no connection between the old and the new terminal, but today, as you can see, they have done the connection. What the Managing Director of FAAN said is that by February 2021, they will open up the corridor for passengers to use. We are impressed with FAAN. Last year, there was no apron like this, but this year, we now have it. It goes to show that FAAN is working and moving forward. We are happy with FAAN and we are ready to support the industry to move forward”.

“We as a committee advised FAAN that they must concentrate on critical infrastructure to save the industry. Safety and security are very key for the industry. In moving forward, most of the things that we will like to see in the budget would be something that are linked to security and safety like operational and perimeter fences, airfield lightings, runways and others. These are the things that will improve on safety and security of the industry”.

Nosa Aituamen

Transportation

Murtala Muhammed International Airport Commences Operations

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The Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos has commenced operations as passengers await boarding for the first flight.

The first commercial scheduled flight Middle East Airline, MEA, touched down at the Lagos airport at 1.20 pm local time from Beirut and was ceremonially welcomed with a water cannon demonstration by the men of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN Aerodrome and Rescue Fire Fighters.

On arrival, passengers presented their documents including their COVID-19 PCR test results for screening by the Port Health services officials while the traveling papers, passports and visas where handled by the Nigerian Immigration Service, NIS.

Speaking on the procedures, the Comptroller NIS MMIA, Abdullahi Usman said the process was seamless and passengers were cooperative when traveling documents were requested by the officials.

The Airport Manager, Mrs. Victoria Shinaba said while the airport was on shut to commercial scheduled flights, the airport recorded over a hundred special and essential flights approved by the Federal government.

She said they would continue to improve on the procedures for facilitation and appealed to Nigerians to stay off the airport terminal if they are not traveling.

Nosa Aituamen

News Analysis

Ensuring Compliance with Covid-19 Protocols at the Nation’s Airports

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Prior to the reopening of the nation’s airspace last month, the Federal Ministry of Aviation had instituted Covid-19 protocols at the nation’s airports to safeguard the lives of airport workers and passengers.

And to ensure safe air travel in Nigeria amidst the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic.

However, it is so worrisome that some major incidents of violation of Covid-19 protocols were recorded at the nation’s local airports by some important personalities.

In Port-Harcourt, Rivers State, Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, allegedly ignored efforts by officials to board him according to Covid-19 rules at the local wing of Port-Harcourt International Airport.  Also, former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, allegedly assaulted officials of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, at the Kano airport.

Another case of violation of Covid-19 protocols was reported at the Abuja Airport. According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, the head of Department of State Services at the international terminal of Abuja Airport deliberately obstructed airport security process, and allegedly slapped an aviation security officer.

It is regrettable that people who are considered as leaders and expected to show good examples decided to exhibit indiscipline, thereby endangering the lives of both airport workers and other users of the airports.

The reopening according to Covid-19 presidential taskforce was considered necessary in order to resuscitate the economy, however the breach of the Covid -19 rules could have adverse effects on the nation’s economy at the long run.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN had vowed to do the needful if ongoing investigations find the accused persons culpable of breaching the Covid -19 protocols.

Also,  Mnister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, at the 51st Presidential Task Force on Covid-19 briefing in Abuja, warned that if found guilty, the culprits could be jailed for two months or above, and also pay a fine or be additionally sanctioned.

Weeks after the incidents, Nigerians are still in dark concerning the investigations carried out.

In some quarters, it is believed that rules and laws are not made for important personalities, they therefore violate them.

Relevant authorities must prosecute those guilty of violating Covid-19 protocols at the airports so as to send the right signal to other air travellers.

Even if due to their immunity they cannot be jailed, they must pay fines and be suspended from the use of the nation’s airports for a stipulated period.

Olaolu Fawole

News

FAAN Berates Gov. Fintiri for Flouting Safety Protocols

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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has berated Adamawa state governor, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri for deliberately flouting public health protocols against COVID19, at the Port Harcourt International Airport.

FAAN said some VIPs are deliberately thwarting efforts of the Federal Government in sustaining the restart of flight operations.

The Adamawa State governor refused to subject himself to security and health checks, did not sanitize and observe the COVID19 protocols, FAAN said, while condemning the conduct of the Governor Fintiri.

“Governor Alh. Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri who arrived the Airport aboard aircraft 5N-IZY, at 17:08 hrs on 14th July with 8 others, and who flagrantly refused to observe the Airport Security and Public Health protocols as directed by the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on #COVID19 by refusing to have his temperature checked, or being sanitised by the health officials. His whole entourage of eight (8)did exactly as he did you”.

The agency said the team that came to receive the governor and entourage drove right through the barricades up to the terminal building ignoring traffic and Aviation Security instructions.

FAAN said “this was irresponsible of the governor and endangered all other airport users.”

It cautioned airport users, especially VIPs, to respect the Presidential directive by observing airport Security and Public Health travel protocols put in place to protect travellers against acts of unlawful interference, infection and the spread of the COVID19.”

It however commended Seyi Makinde of Oyo who observed all protocols, subjecting himself to health checks.

A former governor of Zamfara state, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari also refused to adhere to the COVID19 protocols and pushed a staff of the environment department who insisted on disinfecting his luggage.

Nosa Aituamen