House Expresses Safety Concerns, Orders Probe of Kaduna Airport
Niger Gov: Minna airport a cedible alternative to Abuja
James Emejo Laleye Dipo
The House of Representatives yesterday directed the House Committee on Aviation to receive and review the audit report by the Directorate of Aerodrome Standards of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to ascertain that industry acceptable standards of ramp safety is being complied with at the Kaduna International Airport.
It followed a motion brought forward by Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi (Osun) on the need to review and ensure that the airport complies with operational and safety requirements as contained in prescribed aerodrome standards.
The House said despite all safety assurances by regulatory agencies, safety concerns have already manifested around aviation activities at the airport.
Specifically, it noted that ramp markings are allegedly inadequate while ramp restrictions are violated by unauthorised users who go right through the ramp marks- a clear violation of internationally accepted standards to airport safety.
The House said aircraft maneuvering and parking space are inadequate to accommodate the high number of aircrafts now operating in and out of the airport.
It further expressed concern over fuelling installations and procedure which grossly fall short of international standards and pose grave danger to employees, passengers and the public.
The lawmakers further noted that despite objections to the full closure of the Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja for six weeks, the public was assured and reassured by the Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN, NCAA, Nigeria Fire Service, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMET) that the airport would be ready, fit and safe to handle the new traffic arising from its new status.
Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi (Osun, APC) told journalists the House had approved the relocation of the Abuja airport to Kaduna on conditions that safety will not be compromised.
He added that the House, therefore, deemed it fit to investigate allegations of falling standards.
The House also said it was disturbed that some aviation fuel marketers have allegedly been transferring aviation fuel product from Bulk Road Tankers directly into browsers right on the tarmac at the Kaduna airport.
It held that these markets might not have been licensed to operate at the airport using this dangerous and illegal procedure, adding that they do not even have the requisite equipment for storage nor quality assurance kit needed for compliance to standards.
Furthermore, the House expressed disappointment that perimeter fencing and restriction of access to livestock and local human traffic was inadequate, thereby leaving the airspace and runway vulnerable to invasion by livestock and locals, a trend which could be dangerous to aircrafts, life and property.
The House noted that unless urgently addressed, the country risks losing its International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) license including diminishing its reputation in the international rating and posses a lot of danger to passengers and aircraft safety.
Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila (Lagos, APC) said aviation fuel handling by unapproved persons could lead to contamination and jeopardise safety of aircraft.
He also wondered why despite the lucrative nature of Nigerian routes, foreign airlines have still decided to shun the Kaduna airport.
“What do they do that we do not know?” he queried.
Some members also likened the Kaduna airport to a construction site.
Hon. Hassan Saleh (Benue, APC) said security personnel appeared to be overwhelmed at the airport as luggage were no longer being scrutinised.
However, the committee has one week to report back to the House for further legislative action.
Meanwhile, Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has said Minna international airport is a “credible alternative” to the Abuja airport even as he promised that his administration would ensure it provided the airport with all necessary facilities to function.
The governor has already released N60million for the completion of the projects abandoned by the federal government.
The governor’s action came on the heels of some airlines opting to land in the Minna international airport instead of Kaduna as directed by the federal government following the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe international airport for rehabilitation.