MMIA: Traffic controllers worried over closure of taxiway

*Say normal engine run impossible

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo, Lagos

President, Nigerian Air Traffic Controllers’ Association (NATCA), Mr, Victor Eyaru,has raised alarm over the continuous closure of Taxiway Bravo in the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, saying, it was making it impossible for aircraft to carry out normal engine run at the compass wing.

Eyaru, who spoke to journalists on Thursday, said, as the world celebrate International Day of Air Traffic Controllers tomorrow (today), it was necessary to draw the attention of the authorities concern to urgently open the taxiway in the airport which had been closed down over ten years ago.

According to him, “The taxiway Bravo in Muritala Muhammed Airport, which has been closed for more than ten years now should be reopened. The closure, apart from reducing the capacity of the aerodrome,is also making it impossible for aircraft to do their normal engine run at the compass wing.”

He said that the current situation needed to be urgently addressed, as the closure mounts impacts negatively on controllers while separating aircraft on the ground.

Eyaru, also appealed to the Minister of State, Aviation,Senator Hadi Sirika, to consider fixing the burnt control towers at Kaduna and Maiduguri airports.

He called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the process towards the establishment of a national carrier for the country

Eyaru also urged the government to to pay workers of the liquidated Nigeria Airways the approved N43billion being owed them; saying that any “further payment delay could be termed as payment denied.”

Meanwhile, Equitoral Guinea will soon commence direct flight from Malabo to Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar as soon as all ongoing necessary negotiations have been done.

The Airport Manager, Margret Ekpo International Airport, Mr. Sunday Olusegun Ayodele, who disclosed this in an interview said, meetings with the Consulate General of Equitoral Guinea was ongoing, stressing that flight operations between the two countries would pick up before the end of the year.

According to him, all the necessary requirements for international flights, the immigrations, customs and other agencies were already on the ground to facilitate passengers’ movements.

Ayodele explained that the airport has been an international airport until international flights were suspended by the government.

“We have the facilities, the international wing, comprising that arrivals and departure halls are there. We have held meetings with the consulate general; and we are hoping that before the end of the year they will start flying into Calabar.”

Ayodele also revealed that the state government was planning to float the state- owned airline, CaliAir that would start operations before the end of the year.

The airport manager appealed to Cross River State Government to come to the aid of the airport in the areas of infrastructure and operations.

While commending the state government for its support in providing a car for the airport appeal for provision of a patrol van to enhance their activities stressing the need for collaboration with them to get the airport covered with perimeter fence.

Ayodele, who decried the poor power situation at the airport, lamented that the primary source of power has remained the secondary source, at a high cost on the airport.

He commended the management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria for the provision of regular funds for the purchase of diesel to power generators.

Ayodele also announced plans to generate funds for the airport though non- aeronautical service, such as developing a bigger car park and an event centre, while the abandoned airline office block will be completed and put into use to generate revenue as soon as the legal issue on it was lifted.

He appealed to air travellers to bear with them; saying that the contractor handing the project has returned to the site.