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| The Director-General of the NCAA, Muktar Usman, told reporters that the audit exercise went as planned and final results are due in 60 days.Reacting to claims in some quarters that Nigeria risks losing the current status… |
• FAAN prepares airports for sallah traffic
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has expressed optimism
that the country will retain its category-one safety status after the
United States’ Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) concluded audit
last week.
While the country awaits final report of the U.S. team, the apex
regulator said hopes were high that the country’s status will not be
downgraded.
Maintaining the safety rating is important for Nigerian and U.S. carriers to operate non-stop flights both ways.
Meanwhile, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has
assured all airport users that terminals across the country are now
fully ready to host air travellers during the Sallah celebration.
The Director-General of the NCAA, Muktar Usman, told reporters that
the audit exercise went as planned and final results are due in 60
days.Reacting to claims in some quarters that Nigeria risks losing the
current status, Usman said of significant importance to retaining the
status was qualified and experienced personnel and NCAA is not in short
supply of such hands.
According to him, “The International Civil Aviation Organisation
(ICAO) requires a regulatory agency to attract and retain qualified and
experienced manpower in sufficient number. Every day, we get requests
from professionals who want to come and work in the NCAA.
“That will tell you that we have the ability to attract these
professionals and, so far, we have not lost any professional as a result
of the condition of service. The people we have are qualified; they
have experience and we will continue to train because training is
continuous,” he said.
The DG added that plans were on to have the four major airports
certified after they must have met safety and critical conditions of
ICAO.His words: “Lagos and Abuja airports are at various stages of
certification. The certification depends on what the operator of the
airports (FAAN) has done.
Ours, as civil aviation authority, is to
ensure that standards have been met. Then, we issue a certificate. The
certification will be based on all the safety critical things being put
in place by the operator.
“So far, I will say it is okay. Very soon the certification will be
done but that will depend on the readiness of the operator,” Usman
said.The General Manager, Corporate Affairs FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu, said
as part of the preparations towards seamless facilitation of passengers
during the Sallah break and beyond, the VIP Protocol lounge at the
General Aviation Terminal, Lagos, has been refurbished to give maximum
comfort and value to customers.
Also, maintenance of the conveyor belts at the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport, Lagos has been completed and functioning
optimally. In addition, airport security and other logistics have been
upgraded and strengthened to provide for the expected increase in
passenger traffic in and around our airports.“New directional display
units have been provided to guide travellers, especially new ones, at
our airports.
Airport dos and don’ts banners have also been displayed at strategic
locations to educate newcomers.“While we advise the general public and
intended travellers to make early preparations towards completing their
travel requirements in good time, we will also like to re-state that
receiving of dignitaries at restricted areas by security agents and
airport officials is prohibited and anyone found wanting will be
prohibited.”
