Better days for air travel, as Nigeria marks 57 years of nationhood 

The recent pronouncement by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), confirming that Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) still maintains its category one status, and the certification of FAAN as the aerodrome operator, is a clear indication that better days are ahead in the aviation industry.

This declaration was made after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), left the country, having toured major facilities at the premier gateway. This also confirms that all the facilities and infrastructural upgrade at MMIA is of international acclaim. FAA is a global aviation body, saddled with the responsibility of airport certification across the globe.

FAAN is in charge of all the airports in the country and it performs its statutory duties, according to the policy guidelines provided by the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Transportation. With their efforts and energy put in airports transformation in the last few years, the airports are now wearing better outlook. The airports, numbering over 25 including local and international airports have witnessed positive changes over time.

The airports Authority was established in 1976 as the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA) which later became Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN was set up by the Nigerian government by Decree 45 of 1976, to oversee the operations and maintenance of all Federal airports.

The aviation agency was re-named, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN in August, 1995, following a major restructuring and reforms of the Nigerian Aviation sector by the Federal Government.

In 2013, the Federal Ministry of Aviation launched the most ambitious rehabilitation programme that the aviation industry has experienced since inception.

The upgrade and rehabilitation programme involved the remodelling and rehabilitation of 22 Federal government-owned airports around the country. During this phase, many of the country’s airport terminals that had not been refurbished for long were rehabilitated and remodelled to increase their capacity. That programme is 90 per cent completed.

In 2015 FAAN got US FAA’s Category One Re-Certification. The audit assessed the country’s aviation safety rules, procedures and available facilities, giving them a pass mark.

 Aside MMIA, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport(NAIA), Abuja, is also on the priority list for re-certification which may crystallize soon, few months after its runways was resurfaced at record time of six weeks, courtesy the full support of the federal government that rose to the occasion.

The authority’s laudable achievements and still counting is simply attributed to the determined effort of FAAN management under Engr. Saleh Dunoma, who has left nobody in doubt on the commitment of his management on the development of the aviation industry better than he met it.

Before now, FAAN has continued to demonstrate brilliant show as a professional government establishment, with an eye on daily improvement in every facet of its operations, with a view to making air travel business for Nigerians and Foreigners alike a worthwhile experience. 

That the air travelers are savoring the courteous and efficiency service delivery by the Authority is an understatement, what is more striking is that, FAAN has remained focused at every inch of its operations which is: safety and security of lives and comfort.

Committed also in line with its vision to becoming among the best 50 airport groups in the world, FAAN has also not relented on its oars by enlightening the general public particularly the passengers on its service through the Servicom Unit and this crucial role of safety and security at the airport environment which is the summation of the Authority’s primary responsibility.

In addition to remodeling and upgrading some of the airports, the authority has also done excellently well in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Universal Safety Oversight Audit and other sundry ratings, necessary for smooth landing and take-o ff, of aircraft, devoid of any short coming on the recommended standard practices.

On the same stroke, the training and re-training of members of staff all the same has equally been applauded by watchers of the industry especially the security personnel aerodrome fire fighter services (ARFFS), and this has led to complete eradication of undesirable elements coming close to the airport. Not done yet, FAAN management has continued to inspire its workforce on the need to build a Nigerian brand that will evoke trust and confidence among passengers who undoubtedly are the lifeblood of the aviation industry. 

This was further demonstrated recently following the promotion of some members of whose promotions were very vital for the realization of the authority’s dream. Again the launch of aviation service portal in the past which allows easy access on the services of the authority further demonstrates the enthronement of total sanity in the overall services in the authority day by day activities.

That, the MMIA scaled through the certification hurdle is a sign of good omen especially now the country is basking on the euphoria of yet another independence anniversary which marks the 57 years of our nationhood. As expected, the landmark achievements currently billowing in FAAN is also a lesson for other aviation agencies, moreso now the government is determined to diverse every sectors of the economy, for economic prosperity for the growth of the country and for the common good of every Nigerian.

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo