Acting President Yemi Osinbajo in exercising presidential authority, signed three Executive Orders on May 18, 2017. The three Executive Orders are: the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment designed to facilitate ease of doing business in Nigeria; support for local content in public procurement by the government and timely submission of annual budgetary estimates by all statutory and non-statutory agencies.
Airport operations fall majorly within the aspect of promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment. The aim is to facilitate and promote ease of doing business in the country. The management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, as the leading agency managing over 22 airports across the country has since upped its game and has given Nigerian airports the needed transformation. Initial focus has been on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Port Harcourt International Airport. Attention will be given to other airports in future with due appropriation.
FAAN has been making sure that it adheres to her core values of safety, security and comfort by ensuring we give passengers and airport users seamless travel experience. It is noteworthy that the issuance of the Executive Order has given impetus to our commitment in enhancing passenger experience at airports in the country.
For instance, the MMIA has been fully transformed to the admiration of both local and international travellers. The airport is fast becoming the pride of persons travelling all over the world. Furthermore, in implementing the Executive Order, security agencies at the point of customer interface have been streamlined as both in-bound and out-bound passengers now experience stress-free movement while all the scanners, conveyor belts are functioning maximally.
The toilets at MMIA will be completely replaced with the E wing almost completed, check-in halls at the airports now have functional Flight Information Display (FID) units positioned to guide travellers appropriately. FAAN has upgraded security in all our airports with regular perimeter patrol, this is to provide safety for passengers and ensure that unauthorised persons do not gain access into our airports and public concourses. We have now signages /roller banners strategically located all over the airports directing airport users and providing vital information.
FAAN is doing a continuous upgrade of facilities and has commenced refurbishing of the MMIA terminal building covering the roof, ceiling boards, improving on illumination and providing better cooling system within the airport. A new multi-level car park has been completed and will be inaugurated soon.
The same giant strides achieved at MMIA have been replicated at the Abuja airport, the second busiest airport in the country with facilitation time within the airport greatly reduced. FAAN management used the recent six months rehabilitation period to refurbish facilities within NAI-Abuja. We now have a lift that takes passengers from the check-in hall to the departure level.
Similarly, on entering the departure hall of the airport, Flight Information Display (FID) units are conspicuously positioned for all passengers to see from any angle. The agency has also furnished and renovated the wing D of the airport to international standard while all the toilet facilities have also been renovated. For easy access coming in and going out, the agency recently made a slight change in her Domestic Operations while it also alerted all air passengers, airport users, stakeholders and the general public of the new development. Apart from Flight Information Display (FID) units there are also directional signages to properly guide all passengers on where to check in, board or purchase flight tickets.
In terms of security which is paramount in airport business, FAAN has informed all airport users that the agency will not compromise safety. It is working in collaboration with security agencies, airlines and others to ensure passenger safety at all times and at all points.
To ensure Aviation Security (AVSEC) maintain high standard of security screening across airports in the nation, FAAN in collaboration with the United Nations (UN) trained 35 Aviation Security Personnel who underwent counter terrorism training. These 35 graduands, who are Master Trainers are already being integrated into the system to train other Aviation Security Personnel. The agency has also addressed the menace of touting at Nigerian airports by ensuring that persons that have no business in the airports are denied access.
Only authorised persons and travellers are allowed entrance into our terminals.
Due to the improved services, upgrade of facilities and the value added to other areas of the airports operations, on May 31, 2017, FAAN passed the mock test of aircraft emergency simulation exercise conducted at MMIA to test their readiness in times of emergencies and check her status in view of the upcoming certification of the airport. The exercise which was adjudged as a very successful exposure, drew stakeholders from relevant government agencies including: NEMA, NAMA, FRSC, FAAN, Police Anti-Bomb Squad, LASEMA, Nigerian Air Force and NCAA. We can also confirm that five major international airports namely Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu, have been slated for certification in quick succession. The MMIA will be the first in line for certification, while Abuja will follow and the other three subsequently.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) President, Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, who recently toured Abuja airport said, “From the briefing we received, it is a work that was well done and timely too because it is important for safety operations. We also inspected other facilities. The work on the runway that was done- the markings and all that, are also part of the process to enable the aerodrome certification.”
The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman, in his assessment of the airports for certification said, “The certification process is in five stages and Lagos is presently at the fourth stage. The fifth stage is just the signing of the certificate. We can say it is almost at the point of certification. Abuja will be certified too, once Lagos is finished.”
The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma, recently confirmed that lots of changes took place at the airports especially in Lagos which is on the verge of certification.
Mrs. Yakubu, the Acting General Manager, Public Affairs, FAAN, sent in this piece from Lagos.
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