FAAN, NCAT to resolve N5.2bn aircraft fire simulator dispute

BY CHUKWUEMEKE IWELUNMO

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Kaduna, Zaria, have resolved the dispute on the N5.2billion Boeing 737-NG full-flight fire simulator, after five years of inactivity.

The N5.2 billion full-flight fire simulator was acquired in 2019 by the administration of ex-president, Muhammadu Buhari and installed at NCAT for the training of firefighters in the aviation industry.

However, speaking after a meeting with the rector of NCAT, Joseph Imaligwe and the leadership of the Nigerian Aviation Fire and Safety Association (NAFSA), the FAAN managing director, Olubunmi Kuku, said FAAN and NCAT have resolved to share revenue and liabilities on the simulator.

She stated further that FAAN will also use its network to attract foreign trainees to use the facility and raise revenue for both organizations.

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She stated that the multi-purpose Aircraft Fire Simulator situated at NCAT offered different practical firefighting and rescue scenarios and would save the country billions of foreign currency in training costs, which hitherto went to other countries.

The FAAN MD said: “We are happy to have finally come to this agreement between sister organisations in the interest of the safety of our passengers and improving the competence of our brave firefighters. This will improve our image globally and attract the revenue that both organizations need. As I have always said, safety will always take priority in everything we do at FAAN, and this is a demonstration of that.”