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Tag: Airport

  • Soludo renames Anambra Cargo Airport after Chinua Achebe

    Soludo renames Anambra Cargo Airport after Chinua Achebe

    Gov. Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, has renamed the state’s International Passenger and Cargo Airport after late Chinua Achebe, a novelist, to immortalise him for making an indelible mark on the history of human civilisation.

    Achebe a native of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, died on March 21, 2013, at age 82, in Boston, Massachusetts.

    Soludo said this on Sunday in Awka at the Independence Day parade, to mark Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary, describing Achebe as an example of Africa’s unsung hero.

    “Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, gave the African literature an identity and a voice and he rightly reconstructed and refined the identify of the people,” he said.

    The governor said that Achebe was not just an Anambra hero nor a Nigerian hero, but an African and global hero and yet largely unsung at home.

    He said that henceforth, the state shall be deliberate in fishing out and celebrating its largely unsung heroes as motivation to children and youths.

    “Unfortunately, some people wrongly think of legacies in terms of brick and mortar. Legacy is about impact on human life and human civilisation.

    “Achebe was not a president or governor or military. He did not build bridges or roads or airports but he will outlive most presidents, governors and ministers in our minds.

    “Achebe rejected Nigeria’s national honours twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state Anambra. Today, Anambra will finally honour him.

    “After wide consultations, there is a broad consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe.

    “Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.

    “Yes, it has to be an international airport, and we hope to work with the Federal Government to give full effect to its international status,” he said.
    Soludo urged Nigerians to be intentional about making the project Nigeria work and believe in the potential greatness of the country.

    “We have muddled through the past 63 years with squandered opportunities and yet with the promise of potential greatness

    “No country or nation is a perfect. Every nation continues to struggle in its match to a more perfect union. The path to stability, growth and sustainability will be challenging as there are no quick fixes.

    “But all of us must collectively think and work Nigeria out of the current challenges. We have no other country but Nigeria, and we must make it to work for everyone, “he said.

    The governor said his administration was founded on the true progressive agenda and would continue to create the enabling environment for residents to thrive and survive.

    The police, paramilitary organisations and students from different schools took part in the parade.

    NAN

  • FG ready to partner with state government for improved airport facilities – Keyamo

    FG ready to partner with state government for improved airport facilities – Keyamo

    The hon. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has said that the Federal Government is ready to partner and cooperate with State governments to improve the facilities at the nation’s airports, maintain terminal buildings, and see how they could recoup their investments.

    The Minister stated this when a team of delegates from the Nigerian Transportation Commissioners Forum – an appendage of the Federal Ministry of Transportation paid him a courtesy visit to his office today.

    “It is good that you came, these are issues that we have been deliberating about, cooperating more with state governments to improve on facilities. I would like to see greater cooperation between our Ministry and state governments because most of these facilities are domiciled in the states”, Keyamo said.

    He urged state governments to work out details for the proposals on the improvement of airport facilities, as the Ministry is ready for that, “State government is our number one partner since we have the same objective”, he added

    Hon. Commission of Ministry of Transportation, Cross River State, Pastor Ekpenyon Cobham who led the delegation told the Hon. Minister that the visit was the outcome of a conference meeting of Transportation commissioners to come and seek close collaboration through periodic consultation with the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

    The Executive Secretary, of the Nigerian Transportation Commissioners Forum, Mrs Chinwe Uwaegbute, further said “We just rounded up a two days summit for the inauguration of newly appointed Commissioners of Transportation. This delegation is sent to you to further improve on the relationship and synergy between the Ministry of Aviation and Ministry of Transportation in the States”. Mrs Chinwe said, “There is general complaints by passengers at the state due to shift or delay flights by airlines without regarding the right of passengers or informing them”.

    The association wished the Minister a fruitful leadership tenure as he pilots the affairs of the Ministry.

  • Abuja Airport: FCTA to pay N825.8m compensation for construction of 2nd runway – Wike

    Abuja Airport: FCTA to pay N825.8m compensation for construction of 2nd runway – Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Mr Nyesom Wike, says the FCT Administration (FCTA) will pay N825.8 million as compensation for the construction of second runway for Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Wike stated this in Abuja on Tuesday, while briefing newsmen at the end of a closed-door meeting with members of the Jiwa community and other stakeholders.

    He said that the amount would be paid through the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) for compensation and resettlement of the people of the community affected by the project.

    He added that as part of the incentive, 12 people from the community would be employed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development and its agencies and 10 by FCTA.

    He added that the government would also construct the Tunga Madaki bridge along with a five-kilometre road from the bridge to the community for easy movement of the people.

    The minister explained that the project would be captured in the 2024 budget of the FCTA.

    Wike also said that FCTA would equally provide a modern health facility to provide quality health care services for people of the community.

    He said that an undertaking would be signed based on the agreement between the government and the community.

    He identified the signatories as the permanent secretaries of FCTA and ministry of aviation, the Chief of Jiwa, the Chairman, Abuja Municipal Council and the Commissioner, Public Complaint Commission.

    “If that is done today, and tomorrow or next tomorrow the money is paid to them, contractors will no longer delay. They have to move to the site immediately and commence work.

    “So, the second runway has come to stay,” he said.

    He said that the current administration was determined to ensure that the second runway was delivered.

    He commended the Chief of Jiwa, Alhaji Isa Idris, for mobilising his people to attend the meeting to resolve the crises.

    His counterpart, Mr Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said that he met the issue on his table, adding that the project ought to have been delivered in July.

    Keyamo said that the contractors could not be mobilised because of the issue of compensation.

    Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, FCTA, Mr Olusade Adesola, said that the completion of the project requires the support of all relevant stakeholders.

    Adesola commended Wike for the intervention to ensure a quick resolution of the issue.

    Dr Emmanuel Meribole, Permanent Secretary, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, said that the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2022.

    Meribole said that the project was awarded to four contractors in April, with CCECC Nigeria Limited as the major contractor.

    He, however, said that the project was stalled because of the disagreement over compensation to the affected community members.

    Earlier, the Chief of Jiwa, said that the ministry of aviation through its consultant had earlier pegged the compensation at N2.5 million per hectare, for the 12,000 hectares allocated for the project.

    Idris further said that the amount was later reviewed downward to N700,000 per hectare when FCTA took over the discussion as the rightful authority to determine how much compensation to be paid.

    He said that the community took the matter to the Public Complaint Commission with a view to resolve the issue amicably.

    The community leader said that his people were concerned that the N700,000 being offered per hectare would not be enough for the affected persons to acquire another land.

  • I’ll pick up Mbappe from the airport – Ex-Real Madrid GM

    I’ll pick up Mbappe from the airport – Ex-Real Madrid GM

    Former Real Madrid GM Jorge Valdano is eager to see the arrival of PSG star Kylian Mbappe.

    Inside the final year of his PSG deal, Mbappe has been banished to train with the B squad this week as he refuses to trigger the 12-month option in his contract.

    Valdano is keen to see Real Madrid rescue the striker from Paris this month.

    Speaking from Luque, Paraguay, Valdano told Efe: “If people are still angry with him, don’t worry, I’ll pick him up at the airport.

    “At the moment it is not a case. It is, for now, a non-case. I hope it becomes a case…”

  • Abuja Airport shifts date for new toll fare

    Abuja Airport shifts date for new toll fare

    The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has shifted the date to effect new tariff toll fare at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) from July 17 to Aug. 1.

    In a statement signed by the FAAN Management on Sunday in Abuja, the postponement was to make the airport users to enjoy more of the current charges.

    According to the management, the fare for cars will change from N200 to N300, while that of buses and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) will change from N300 to N500 only.

    It said the truck (six tyres) tariff would change from N500 to N1,000 while the trailer and container tariff would be N2,000.

    The management urged the public to take notice of the changes in the effective date and tariff.

    It also appealed to all airport users that owned vehicles to use the dedicated “park and pay” for car parks that had been provided for the comfort of airport users.

    According to it, drop-off zones rules and regulations guiding movement should be respected to create free traffic flow to enhance a calm and serene environment around the airport.

    “Commercial drivers are to use the drop-off zone to drop their passengers but not to engage in pick-up of passengers as the airport already has registered car hire services (FAAN TAXI, BOLT, UBER) situated along the airport exit way.

    “There is an exclusive parking lot for heads of MDAs, MDs of private companies, and highly recognised individuals for their comfort as frequent fliers and their status in society.

    “VIP parking stickers are also available for those who want to enjoy VIP parking privileges,” it said.

    The management commended the conduct of the airport users, urging them to always verify their “parking status and pay” where necessary before attempting to leave the airport.

    According to the management, verifying parking status by airport users will help to avoid any embarrassment by allow free flow of traffic in and out of the airport.

    It reassured the passengers, concessioners and stakeholders of the airport’s commitment to their safety, security and comfort while using or passing through the airport.

    According to it, FAAN is committed to her core values of safety, security and comfort.

  • Reps suspend concession of Nigerian Airports

    Reps suspend concession of Nigerian Airports

    The House of Representatives has resolved to suspend the concession of airports in Nigeria

    This resolution was sequel to a motion promoted by Rep. Kama Nkemkanma on the “Need to Investigate the Concession of Airports in Nigeria”, on Wednesday at plenary.

    In his submission, Rep Nkemanma noted that the most viable airports in Nigeria were commissioned to foreign firms through resolutions by the Federal Executive Council resolutions deviating from due process, public accountability, and established laws of the land.

    According to the lawmaker, the eventual outcome of the opaque concession exercise is the enrichment of a few unpatriotic Nigerians and their foreign cohorts at the detriment of Nigerians and the eventual enslavement of these public infrastructures to foreigners for many decades.

    He recalled: “that our major airports in Lagos, Abuja, and Kano have remained by consistently subjects of controversies due to entrenched personal interests that have undermined the laws of the land, irrespective of the occasional efforts of our anti-corruption agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission”.

    ” That the myopic personal interests of these economic vampires have relegated our so called international airports to mere airstrip status after almost seven decades in the industry, and can never be compared with global renowned airports such as Heathrow, Dubai, Amsterdam, Tokyo, Qatar, Vancouver, and others.

    “Disturbed that even on the African continent, where one out of every six Africans is a Nigerian population -wise, the South African pairs of Tambo-Johannesburg and Cape Town, Cairo,
    Casablanca-Morocco and Houari Boumediene in Algeria, have all outpaced Nigeria and we also lag behind South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopian Airlines;
    Worried that our national historical public policy journey from indigenization, Commercialisation, Privatisation, Public partnerships, concessions, and others has fetched us nothing rather than
    monumental embarrassment, massive corruption, and controversies in the Aviation and other sectors;

    “Disturbed that Nigerian population dominates the African Continent, with South African cities outperforming Nigerian owed, while Kenya and Ethiopian Airlines trail behind;
    Worried that the National public policy journey has led to embarrassment, corruption, and controversies in aviation and other sectors;

    “Aware that the National Assembly Acts regulate, control, and manage corporations and agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority Act, Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission Act, Public Procurement Act, and Fiscal Responsibility Act”.

    Rep. Nkemakonam states that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), empowers the National Assembly to control the economy, ensuring social justice, equality, and opportunity for citizens.

    According to him, Nigerians are currently facing job loss and future generation’s economic hardship due to the airport concession policy.

    “And that the constitutional oversight role of this House involves exposing corruption, inefficiency and waste in laws and correcting defects as per 1999 Constitution of Nigeria”, he added.

    The House unanimously adopted the motion and mandated the House Committee on Aviation (when constituted) to investigate the Nigerian Airport concessions and report back to the house for further legislative action.

  • Danger averted as private jet loses front-wheel, tyres at Abuja Airport

    Danger averted as private jet loses front-wheel, tyres at Abuja Airport

    Danger was averted on Monday as a private jet lost one of its front wheel and tyres while landing at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    According to aviation sources who witnessed the incident, it disrupted flight operations for hours.

    The incident also created panic on the part of the passengers of other airlines who could not land on scheduled times.

    “A private jet whose front wheel and tyre got damaged upon landing has prevented landing and take-off at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the last one and half hours.

    “Accidents and obstructions are common at this airport as there is only one runway at the airport of the nation’s capital,” the source told an online medium.

    Officials of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and other relevant bodies were at the scene to see how to evacuate the private jet from the runway to enable other flights operate.

    As of press time, the owner of the private jet and the details of those onboard could not be ascertained.

    Efforts to get more details on the incident from the NCAA spokesperson, Sam Adurogboye, proved abortive as he promised to get back to our reporter when contacted.

    He had yet to call back as of the time of filing this report.

    Economic Confidential

  • Customs intercepts N1.8bn tramadol in Lagos airport

    Customs intercepts N1.8bn tramadol in Lagos airport

    The Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has seized 23 packages of tramadol with a Duty Paid Value (DPV) worth N1.8 billion between January and March.

    The Customs Area Comptroller, Mohammed Yusuf, at news conference in Lagos on Wednesday said that the pharmaceutical products were imported from India and Pakistan.

    Yusuf listed the seized items to include 22 packets of tramadol (225mg) and 12 packets of tramadol (120mg) tablets.

    According to Yusuf, the above seizures were recorded based on intelligence-driven operations within the airport.

    He added that the tramadol tablets in their custody had been scheduled for handing over to the Commander of Narcotics, Murtala Muhammed Airport Command of the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    “In the spirit of inter-departmental cooperation, this will further strengthen our collaboration in safeguarding our youths from the use of harmful substances which can endanger their lives and the environments.

    “We shall intensify more efforts in making our communities a safer place for all of us to live,” he said.

    On export, and for the period under review, he said that the command recorded exportation of goods worth N100.93 billion from the country.

    “These exported goods include: non-commercial and commercial foods with a total weight of 653 tonnes and Free On Board (FOB) value of N4.81 billion.

    “The command is working hard to promote export businesses to boost forex earnings for the country,” he said.

    The customs boss noted that the command generated a total sum of N21.4 billion as revenue in the period under review.

    “It is pertinent to note that in the corresponding period of 2022, the command generated N17.5 billion which shows a progressive difference in the sum of N3.8 billion, depicting a 21.97 per cent increase.

    “It is worthy to note that the revenue activities of the command comprise importation and exportation of legitimate goods, goods under the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS).

    He pointed out that in the area of stakeholder’s engagement, the command had maintained an open-door policy and had resolved a lot of issues of common interest with concerned stakeholders.

    He appreciated esteemed partners in the clearance value chain for their unwavering support and also encourage them to always brace up to the emerging challenges as they work together to move the nation forward.

    “We appreciate the Comptroller General of Customs, Col. Hammed Ali(Rtd) and his management team for necessary support to discharge their duties and officers and men of the command for their dedication and commitment to discharging their responsibilities,” he said.

  • FAAN reads riot act to illegal occupants of airport land

    FAAN reads riot act to illegal occupants of airport land

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has advised all illegal occupants of airport lands to relocate for their safety and security.

    Mrs Faithful Hope-Ivbaze, Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, made this known in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday.

    Hope-Ivbaze said the removal of illegal structures would be carried out at all other airports that have similar challenges.

    She said the notification was in respect to the recent demolition of 13 houses which posed danger to the operations of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

    She revealed that in 2020, the organisation noticed some encroachments within its acquired land in Lagos and a committee was set up to investigate and compel encroachers to desist from such actions.

    “In the committee’s report submitted in 2022, out of 254 buildings evaluated, 220 buildings were recommended for regularisation, asthey pose no direct/critical security and safety challenges to the Airport. They have been duly regualarised.

    “The 34 others that were built within FAAN’s perimeter fence and mostly erected above the aviation fuel pipeline and waterways, clearly posing direct safety and security challenges to the Airport as well as to their owners/ occupants themselves, were marked for demolition,” she said.

    Hope-Ivbaze said the occupants of the buildings were duly notified of the impending demolition by intensive awareness campaign through “stop work” markings and planting of notice boards within the Red Zone.

    The general manager said a committee put up “Caveat Emptors” and positioned them strategically within the areas under encroachment

    She said that publications were done in national dailies and local radio stations, notifying people of the risks in purchasing and building on Restricted Aviation Land.

    She noted that such building was without consideration of the dangers on aircraft operations and the building occupants.

    “To avoid a situation of wanton damage and colossal losses, the present administration, on assuming office, inaugurated a “Regularization Committee on FAAN Encroached Lands and Property.

    “The committee was charged with finding ways of identifying and regularizing only those properties located in positions that do not pose a direct and critical challenges to airport safety and security.

    “The FAAN directorates of Airport Operations and Aviation Security commenced stakeholders’ engagements and met severally with the residents of the Ajao axis in which all meetings recorded and filed.

    “The meeting brought to their knowledge the dangers of erecting houses on pipelines, waterways and the airport’s perimeter fence blocking access for security patrols.

    “Most of the residents cooperated, except for the few who ignored and continued erecting their structures in the red zones,” she said.

    The general manager said it was imperative to note that area of land presently housing the Lagos Airport was acquired for public use by the Federal Government of Nigeria.

    She said the land was acquired through the Lands Acquisition Ordinance by FGN Official Gazettes in 1944, 1972, and 1975 respectively.

    Hope-Ivbaze reiterated FAAN’s commitment to adhere to its core values of safety, security and comfort.

  • Assembly members forfeited 3-years constituency project funds for Ebonyi Airport – Umahi

    Assembly members forfeited 3-years constituency project funds for Ebonyi Airport – Umahi

    Gov. David Umahi of Ebonyi says that members of the state House of Assembly forfeited their three-year constituency project funds for the completion of the state’s new international airport.

    Umahi made the disclosure during the test-run of flight operations at the airport christened Muhammadu Buhari international airport, at Onueke on Thursday.

    The governor stated that the assembly led by its Speaker, Chief Francis Nwifuru, made tremendous sacrifices for the actualisation of the airport, which he said cost N36 billion.

    “When we were seeking N10 billion to procure equipment for the airport, the speaker recalled the members who were on recess to approve the fund.

    “The members did not only approve the fund, they also forfeited their three-years constituency project funds to ensure the project is completed,” he said.

    He also expressed profound appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for his ‘unquantified’ support towards the realisation of the airport.

    “The president approved the sum of N10 billion for the construction of the domestic and international wings of the airport.

    “When we were constrained on funds to procure equipment, he directed the ministry of finance to source funds for us even if it is a loan.

    “The airport is named after Buhari as approved by the state house of assembly and if you say he is not good to you, he is to me and Ebonyi.

    “We will continue loving him and before a fortnight, he will be in Ebonyi to inaugurate the project,” he said.

    He noted that the government would prevail on the federal government to take over the airport which had presently created over 500 jobs and concession it.

    “Government is a poor manager of resources but we are seriously interested in the revenue generated from the facility,” he said.

    Mr Oladipo Adebayo, a Representative of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority called on Ebonyi people to ensure the maintenance and protection of the airport’s facilities because it has “opened them to the world”.

    Chief Francis Nwifuru, Speaker of the state House of Assembly thanked God for the project and Umahi for his commitment towards actualising the project.

    Nwifuru, who is the state’s Governor-elect said that the governor had put him under severe pressure due to the monumental projects that he would inherit and maintain.

    Mr Collins Oti, a Representative of Air Peace airlines, which two aircraft landed at the airport, urged  the state’s incoming administration to fully maximise the airport’s potentials.

    Goodwill messages were delivered at the occasion by the immediate past state Governor, Chief Martin Elechi, representatives of the clergy, traditional institution among others.