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Tag: Airports

  • Reps halt concession of four Airports

    Reps halt concession of four Airports

    Pending the resolution of contentious issues raised by the unions and other stakeholders, the House of Representatives has called for the suspension of the planned concession of the four international airports in Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Abuja.

    This according to lawmakers is to avoid industrial actions that may further cripple the already distressed industry.

    The Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Rep. Nnolim Nnaji gave the ruling on Monday during the budget defense of the Ministry of Aviation.

    The absence of the Minister of Aviation at the budget defence session caused the lawmakers to adjourn the meeting as there was no one to effectively defend the ministry’s budget.

    The committee Chairman while explaining the need to adjourn said that as a committee they are aware of the terrible impact of COVID-19 on the Aviation sector, which would take a while for the industry to recover, so they should strive to do whatever is necessary to help stabilize the sector.

    His words: “You may recall that in September or thereabout, this committee had interactions with the representatives of the labour unions on this subject matter.

    “During the meeting which was a sequel to our earlier intervention over the unions’ strike action against the concession, a lot of concerns were raised by the representatives of the labour unions regarding the airports’ concession.

    “Among the concerns were the lack of transparency in the exercise, labour issues, the Chinese loans, the legal issues that may arise from the existing concessions and the lack of proper valuation of the present status of the affected airports, among others,” he said.

    According to Nnaji, based on the outcome of the meeting with the labour unions, the committee invited the Minister of Aviation and the Heads of Agencies under him to discuss the issue of the Airports’ Concession.

    “Several dates were fixed for the meeting but for one reason or the other, they failed to attend. The Committee had also received several letters from Stakeholders both in favour and against the Airports’ Concession.

    “In view of this, the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation hereby requests that the concession of the four Airports should be put on hold pending the resolution of the contentious issues raised by the unions and other Stakeholders to avoid industrial actions that may further cripple the already distressed industry

    “We are hopeful that at the end of the day, our Intervention would provide an opportunity for all the parties to reach a common ground that will move the Aviation industry forward. Once again, on behalf of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation,” he said.

  • FG to double airports by 2023 – Sirika

    FG to double airports by 2023 – Sirika

    The Federal Government says it will double the number of airports in the country before the end of 2023 to enhance air connectivity and boost the nation’s economy.

    The Minister of Aviation, Mr Hadi Sirika said this while responding to questions during the Public Presentation of the 2021 Budget Proposal on Tuesday in Abuja.

    The public presentation was organised by the Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning.

    “We understood the principles and the importance of air connectivity and it is a very important sector. It boosts our economy and we believe investment in this sector will do well for our economy.

    “Before the end of 2023, we would have doubled the number of airports in Nigeria. We understand the importance of aviation infrastructure as a critical component for the working of our economy and our national security assets.”

    Sirika said the aviation industry was the fastest growing sector in the country and the current administration had developed a roadmap to improve civil aviation and air transportation in general.

    President Muhammadu Buhari presented the 2021 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly on Oct. 8.

    The 2021 budget is projected at N13.08 trillion, which is 21 per cent higher than revised 2020 Budget of N10.8 trillion.

    Capital Expenditure for the Ministry of Aviation is put at N89.97 billion in the proposed 2021 budget.

    However, the ministry proposes to spend N5 billion for safety and security critical projects and airport certification nationwide and N14 billion for construction of second runway at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.

    Also, the ministry proposed N1.6 billion extension and asphalt overlay of Murtala Muhammed International Airport runway, Lagos; N1 billion construction of new terminal building in Enugu; and N1 billion construction of Abeokuta airstrip.

  • COVID-19: Nigeria announces new protocol for air travellers

    COVID-19: Nigeria announces new protocol for air travellers

    Air travellers intending to come into Nigeria will not be allowed to board aircraft without a Quick Response (QR) code certifying that they are COVID-19-free, the National Coordinator of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19, Dr Sani Aliyu, has said.

    Dr. Aliyu, who made the pronouncement on Monday in Abuja, told newsmen that the step had become necessary to ease congestion on arrival at airports and to avoid the spread of infections.

    He explained that with more than 4,000 passengers arriving in Lagos and Abuja on daily basis, the use of paper at the airports was not sustainable.

    He added that with the online procedure, it would be easier to manage passenger flow, more so that Nigeria has increased the number of passengers that could fly into the country.

    “We have already increased the number of passengers that could fly into Lagos to 2,500 per day while that of Abuja has been increased to 1,600 a day.

    “We cannot continue to handle paper work with this number of passengers coming into Nigeria,’’ he said.

    Dr, Aliyu added that the online procedure to produce the QR certificate before proceeding to the airport would also reduce passengers stress on arrival at the terminal bindings.

    “The portal has three sections. The first section has to do with filling a straightforward questionnaire. The second step is to upload the COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) result that should be negative at the point of boarding.

    “At this stage you have two options, either to go ahead and pay or download your QR Code.

    “If you chose to download the temporary QR code, you can print it and board with it and pay on arrival in Nigeria.

    “Our strong recommendation is that if you do not want to spend too much time at the airport, print out the final QR Code. If you have the final QR Code it takes minutes to go through the airport protocol in Nigeria.

    “Since passengers’ filled questionnaire and PCR result can be seen online it is easy to check after seven days if a passenger tested positive and we can easily go back and check whether what we have on our system is genuine PCR result or not.

    “Also, we will check the questionnaire to see if an intending passenger admitted that he or she had some symptoms prior to boarding. It is either that such passenger incubated the illness or picked up the virus on the way in or it’s possible that a wrong test was done,’’ he said

  • FEC approves N13bn for automation of four airports, $3.1bn for Customs

    FEC approves N13bn for automation of four airports, $3.1bn for Customs

    The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved N13 billion for the automation of safety equipment at Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt international airports.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the virtual meeting of the Council presided by President Muhammadu Buhari, also approved 3.1 billion dollars for the automation of the operations of the Nigeria Custom Service (NCS).

    The Ministers of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed, made this known to State House correspondents at the end of the meeting in Abuja.

    Sirika expressed optimism that the safe tower projects, when completed, would increase efficiency and reduce the workload of air controllers in the affected airports.

    He said: “Today, Civil Aviation submitted a memorandum to council which was consequently approved.

    “The memo is to upgrade and refurbish the safe tower equipment in four airports, Lagos, Kano, Abuja and Port Harcourt.

    “This is just to increase the efficiency of the airports and reduce the workload in the control tower and to automate what was hitherto analogue system to digital.

    “Quick example is all of the data we collect at the end of the runways within the airports will now be displayed instantly on our platform in the control tower.

    “Information regarding weather, regarding all of the components of weather, winds, rain, macro burst etc will be displayed automatically.

    “So, the issue of giving out weather reports every hourly will change to give you an instant weather which will improve the pilot efficiency and the workload on controller is reduced and it can handle more flights into the airport.

    “The total contract sum is N13.122, 230, 999.17.’’

    He further explained that the payment of the contract sum would be in two parts.

    “First component which is a foreign component is €28,489,565 million while the naira component is N3.491,504,488.31.

    “Of course, there will be 7.5 per cent added VAT. It will be for completion period of 12 months.’’

    On her part, Ahmed, said the approval for the e-Custom modernization project followed a memo she presented to the Council.

    She said: “The purpose of the memo we presented to Council was for a project that will enable the complete automation of the Nigeria Custom Service processes and procedures using the application and information and technology technology in all aspects of Customs administration.’

    According to the minister, the main objective is to completely automate every aspect of the customs business and institutionalize the use of smart and emerging technologies to enhance the statutory function of the NCS in the area of revenue generation.

    She revealed that the project would be financed through Public Private Partnership (PPP) under a concessionary period of 20 years.

    “So, Council today ratified Mr President’s approval for the PPP concession for a 20-year period to Messers E-Customs HC Project Limited as a concessionaire for the delivery of customs modernization project.

    “This is a project that will not have an immediate cost to the government, the investors are providing all of the financing and this revenue will be deployed in three phases and they will look over the investment in the concessionary period of 20 years.

    “The key point is that it is not costing the federal government one thing, the 3.1 billion dollars being proposed will be sourced by the sponsors and the partners,’’ she said.

  • Covid-19: FG vows to jail VIPs, others flouting airports protocols

    Covid-19: FG vows to jail VIPs, others flouting airports protocols

    The Federal Government has said that it is investigating the flouting of COVID-19 protocol put in place at three domestic airports by VIPs, warning that if found guilty, they will either go to jail of two months and above, pay a fine or get both sanctions combined.

    The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, gave the warning on Thursday in Abuja at the 51st joint national briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19.

    Recall that Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, reportedly flouted COVID-19 protocol put in place at the domestic wing of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State.

    Also, a former governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, was alleged to have assaulted an official of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) on Saturday.

    FAAN had on Wednesday tweeted on its official Twitter handle that the ex-governor allegedly assaulted an airport official on Saturday 11th July 2020. Yari, however denied the allegation, saying he followed all the COVID-19 preventive protocols set by FAAN.

    Sirika said if investigations revealed that the VIPs did not flout they protocol as alleged by FAAN, apology will be tenderer publicly to them. While saying that all airports in Nigeria open for domestic operations from 15th remains so, he said that government is however at liberty to open and close the airports depending upon so many other operation reasons.

    The minister said that the ministry and agencies have received lots of inquiry regarding some alleged unruly passengers and that one of the agencies, FAAN in particular had tweeted and because of that he receive lots of questions.

    He said, “So FAAN has escalated what has transpired, these alleged unruly passengers included the former Governor of Zamfara state. Abdulaziz Yari, whom I spoke to yesterday (Wednesday) at length; the current governor of Adamawa Ahmadu Fintiri.

    “Abdulaziz Yari was on Saturday in Kano. And that of Fintiri is in Port Harcourt and Chief Nduka Obaigbena also alleged here in Abuja. “Now those are being investigated and if it is found that it was true we will do the needful and if it is found untrue, we would definitely apologize to this individuals.”

    According to him, going through the Nigeria civil aviation regulations, there is a definition of unruly passenger. He said, “It goes to say in part 17, 97, 1: that any passenger who becomes unruly at the airport terminal building or on-board a particular aircraft commits an offence. So first is an offense.

    “An unruly passenger, according to table two 9, (51) an unruly passenger behaviour requires the punishment of criminal referral for imprisonment for not less than two months so you can get ten years,” he said.

  • NCAA lists 5 approved airports for operations ahead of flight resumption

    NCAA lists 5 approved airports for operations ahead of flight resumption

    The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has named five airports where flights will resume on the June 21, as announced by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19.

    NCAA Director-General, Capt. Musa Nuhu, made the announcement in a letter to Accountable Managers of all domestic and foreign airlines in the country with ref NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/121, in Lagos on Wednesday.

    This is coming on the heels of the announcement by the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 on the easing of and restart of the second phase of the COVID-19 lockdown and restart of flights on June 21.

    Nuhu said the five airports are Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano, Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt and Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri

    The director-general said in the letter that other airports would be added gradually to flight operations after a review and assessment.

    “Following the announcement by Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on the easing of and the start of second phase of the COVID-19 lockdown, we wish to inform the industry of the following.

    “The closure of Nigerian airports to domestic flights has been extended to 2300Z on 20th June 2020.

    “The gradual start of domestic flight operations will commence on June 21 with Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport Abuja, Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos, Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport Kano.

    “Others are Omagwa International Airport, Port Harcourt and Sam Mbakwe Airport Owerri while other airports will be gradually added to the network after a review and assessment.

    Nuhu noted that all flights to any airport outside the above five listed airports above should comply with the existing COVID-19 Protocols for approvals

    The director general said the closure of Nigerian airports to international flights would continue until a date of resumption is announced.

    Nuhu said emergency and essential flights were exempted from the restriction and should comply with the existing COVID-19 protocols for approvals.

  • Increased flight fare, delayed flights, other tough conditions as FAAN plans reopening of airports nationwide

    Increased flight fare, delayed flights, other tough conditions as FAAN plans reopening of airports nationwide

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) said it has put arrangements in place on passenger facilitation and what to expect ahead of resumption of flights.

    Speaking at an aviation webinar organised by Women in Aviation (WIA) Nigeria with the theme: “Aviation: The New Norm in the post COVID”, General Manager Corporate Affairs of FAAN Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said passengers should expect delays and long hours of checks and re-checks right from when they arrive the airport and departs.

    She said escorts of VIPs would no longer be allowed to follow their principals into the terminal and such principals would be subjected to all health checks.

    To this end, she said passengers are expected to leave their home early hours before their flights to go through the various checks before entering the terminal and after.

    “We are going to expect flight delays, flights will experience delays from checks and re-checks. If you are travelling, I will expect a potential traveler to leave home hours before his flight. Why do I say this?

    ”Because there is going to be a lot of checks in the front of the terminal we have been told that some may activities and procedures will take place in front of the terminal. So air travelers are expected to leave home very early so that they can get to the airport on time.”

    The FAAN spokesperson also explained that passengers should expect that airlines would charge more in terms of airfare, adding the International Air Transport Association, IATA said that there would be 45 percent increase in fares.

    Yakubu stated that the COVID-19 had brought a lot of changes to air travel and to ensure the safety of passengers and airport users the way of doing things before have to change, adding that the pandemic would make people cut down on non-essentials and lead to low demand of air travel.

    At all airports, she said social distancing would be 100%, temperature screening, wearing of face masks, disinfection of shoes and luggage of passengers would also be carried out 100% regardless of personalities.

    “There will be floor markings indicating where each passenger will wait on the queue, arriving Passengers will also be subjected to temperature screening, physical distancing too will be observed while Passengers are waiting by the carousel to pick up their luggage.”

    Passengers are expected to arrive the airport with their face masks on, their luggage and pairs of shoes to be disinfected. Passengers are expected to observe social/physical distancing.”

    “Passengers will subject themselves to temperature screening and departure halls will be arranged in such a way that physical distancing too will be observed,” she added.

    General Manager Customer Service/SERVICOM, FAAN Mrs. Ebele Okoye harped on the decongestion of the terminal building especially outside where all sorts of people who do not have business at the airport mill around.

    According to her, in reducing contact, the days of opening people’s bag at the airport to search what is inside should be done away with.

    ” I will urge all the airports to consider and make provision for different kinds of passengers, social distancing, adequate information and security and more importantly, Social security.

    Okoye urged passengers to save themselves the stress of coming to the airport to buy tickets rather they buy their tickets online, check in online and pay for their trolleys online to reduce the hours they would have to spend carrying out these activities.

    “Social security can be done online ticket purchase am sure that the airline will notify the people who purchase their ticket online to check in online and decongest the terminal building, no hangers around, touts should be
    out of the airport, anyone not travelling should not be allowed to enter the airport, how do passengers get their trolley, they can pay online, you don’t need contacts.”

    The webinar moderated by the WIA President, Mrs Rejoice Ndudinachi featured the Airport Manager South West Airports/Airport Manager, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, Mrs. Victoria Shin-Aba, former Rector, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology, NCAT, Zaria and other top women professionals in the industry.

  • Coronavirus: FG extends closure of airspace, airports by two weeks

    The Federal Government on Monday extended the closure of the nation’s airspace and airports by another 14 days as Coronavirus infections increase in the nation.

    Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika disclosed this on his twitter handle on Monday.

    He said as a result of the extension of lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja by President Muhammadu Buhari, it was no longer possible for the nation to open its airspace and airports for normal operation by 23 April, 2020.

    Sirika stated that they would remain closed for a further two weeks, which he said, was subject to review.

    “COVID-19. As a result of the extension on lockdown by Mr President it is no longer possible for us to open our airspace and airports for normal operations by the 23rd April, 2020.

    “They will remain closed for a further 2 weeks. This subject to review as appropriate, please,” he tweeted.

  • [Leaked Memo] Buhari’s CoS, Abba Kyari raises alarm over lawmakers refusal to be screened at airports says they constitute grave danger to Nigerians

    [Leaked Memo] Buhari’s CoS, Abba Kyari raises alarm over lawmakers refusal to be screened at airports says they constitute grave danger to Nigerians

    Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari has raised alarm over the refusal of some lawmakers who just returned from foreign trips to be screened at the nation’s airports.

    Kyari in a letter to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila said the issue was reported to his office by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire.

    The letter dated Saturday, 21st March, 2020 tagged confidential and obtained exclusively by TheNewsGuru.com, was signed by Kyari himself.

    Kyari in clear terms told the Speaker to order all lawmakers who just returned from foreign trips to submit themselves for compulsory screening at any of the NCDC centres nearest to them.

    TNG reports that as at Sunday night, the number of coronavirus cases in the country had increased from 27 to 31 with three new cases in Lagos and Atiku’s son who tested positive.

     

     

     

  • NCAA tightens Coronavirus preventive measures at airports

    Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is working with all stakeholders to harmonise preventive measures taken against the Coronavirus at the country’s airports.

    Capt. Musa Nuhu, the newly appointed Director General, NCAA, revealed this in a statement in Lagos on Sunday.

    Nuhu explained that this to contain the spread following the confirmed case of an Italian that came in through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos on Monday.

    The health ministry, the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Lagos State Ministry of Health and Ogun State Ministry of Health have responded to ensure no further spread of the disease.

    Nuhu explained that the preventive measures were to ensure all travelers coming into the country are adequately screened, while causing minimal disruption to them.

    He noted that all contingency plans for public health events in aviation had been activated including airport-specific Public Health Emergency Contingency Plans (PHECPs).

    Nuhu said NCAA had ensured that all measures adopted at Nigerian airports were in accordance to ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) and WHO International Health Regulations (IHR 2005).

    “This measures is in line with the guidelines of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Collaborative Arrangement for the Prevention and Management of Public Health Events in Civil Aviation (CAPSCA).

    “We have been working with the Federal Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders in the aviation industry to ensure all travelers coming into the country are adequately screened while causing minimum disruption to facilitation of travel.

    “NCAA will continue to ensure that airlines assist with the tracking of passengers who may have come in contact with suspect or ill persons as well as other measures the National Surveillance Systems requires.

    “Airlines and other airport users are advised to heed the guidance of Port Health Services (a division of the Federal Ministry of Health and Competent Public Health Authority at Point of Entry) on the use of screening forms.

    “Others are on the assessment of suspect or ill travelers and any other measures they may adopt,” he said.

    Nuhu advised airlines, airport operators, security agencies and other aviation industry stakeholders to take appropriate precaution to protect their staff.

    He also advised the travelling public to remain calm but alert and take necessary precaution in protecting themselves while traveling.

    The director general said this include alerting crew members and airport facilitation staff of travelers that might look ill or showing signs and symptoms of the disease.

    Nuhu said travelers returning from countries experiencing community transmission of the COVID-19 should present themselves to Port Health Services on arrival at the Point of Entry – International Airport.

    He said travelers who develop signs and symptoms of the disease after returning from a trip abroad were to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest Health facility or call the NCDC on 0800-970000-10.