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Yultide: FAAN strategises to check gridlock at airports

By on December 24, 2015

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma, has said that the authority is putting all necessary arrangements in place to handle the envisaged usual gridlock across the nation’s airports.

Fielding questions from journalists recently on the agency’s state of preparedness during a courtesy visit by the Senate adhoc committee recently in Abuja, the MD said synergy among all the agencies was being strengthened while at the operational facilities required for smooth flight was being put in place.

On general safety at the airports, he said: “One important thing that we have put in place is to make sure that the equipment are working well, especially the Instrument Landing System (ILS) and of course the Airfield lightening System (ALS), because this is what will assist the pilots to come into the into the airports and land safely.

“Also, we are working in conjunction with the other agencies like the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the others to make sure that all their equipment are in perfect condition especially during this season”
According to him, FAAN is doing a lot of work in all the airports across the country to make sure that everything in the air especially in terms of equipment and other facilities that provide for passenger comfort.

“We are working on them to make sure that they are in top gear and of course security is another area of focus. I want to assure the general public that security is constantly being improved especially during this period.” Dunoma said.

Also speaking on FAAN’s preparedness, a top official of the agency, who declined anonymity said: “Apart from the statutory security and safety measures already in place at the airports, members of the bomb detection unit of the Nigerian Police Force have also been deployed at the airports to complement the effort of our Aviation Security (AVESEC), personnel at the security screening points.

“Passengers facilitation at all our airports has been enhanced by the installation of modern and bigger conveyor belts and metal walk-through detectors.”

To avoid the usual late minute rush associated with the yuletide periods, the authority advised travellers to endeavour to leave their homes early so that operational boarding arrangements will be completed hitch free.

On what to expect in 2016, Dunoma, promised that the secend Runway would be completed even though it has nothing to do with safety for now. He added: “We want it and we have started the process by way of getting the scope of work done.”

He acknowledged though that technology has no control over weather as its affects operations and flight delays. He said: “There are some flight delays especially those going far north as the weather there may not be too good and this is weather for you so it has to be respected.”

On the deteriorating runway at the Enugu airport, the MD added that a consultant has been commissioned to carry out proper investigation at the airport with a view to fast tracking the rehabilitation.

 

[ThisDay]