TheNewsGuru

Tag: International Airport

  • ASUU Strike: NANS threaten to shut down airports in the country

    ASUU Strike: NANS threaten to shut down airports in the country

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has threatened to close down all International airports in the country following a seven month strike embarked upon by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)

    The leadership of NANS met in Akure the Ondo state capital over the weekend to discuss way forward and measures to resolve the lingering industrial action embarked upon by ASUU.

    The body condemned the Federal Government’s attitude towards resolving the strike action by the Public university lecturers.

    The Students noted that the four-day closure of highways and expressways was a success, which is why they decided to stop international travel beginning on September 19, 2022, so that the bourgeois and the government would experience the suffering that students had gone through for the previous seven months.

    The NANS National Task Force on “End ASUU Strike Now” Chairman, Ojo Raymond Olumide, revealed that students were already tired of pleading with both parties about the necessity of ending the strike during a press conference.

    “The President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration must settle all outstanding arrears and the lecturers’ salaries”, Olumide said, adding that the airports that would be occupied will remain closed until the strike is called off.

    “We shall begin another round of protest next week by storming the airspaces on Monday, 19th September 2022 to #OccupyTheAirports. We want to let the world know about the pains and anguish students are going through.

    “Nigerian students whose parents create the commonwealth cannot continue to be suffering at home alongside our lecturers while the few who gain from our sweats and blood have their kids abroad jollying and flexing.

    “We will, by this statement, not beg again. We shall be mobilizing all students to shut down the country. No Education! No Movement!”

    NANS attacked Minister of Works, Babatunde Raji Fashola over his comment on the barricade of expressway by the students.

    They passed a vote of no confidence on the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Chris Ngige and his Education counterpart Adamu Adamu.

    ASUU has embarked on industrial action since February 14, 2022.

     

  • Ekiti airport project will be completed before I leave office – Fayemi

    Ekiti airport project will be completed before I leave office – Fayemi

    Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has assured the people of the state that the International Airport under construction will be completed before the expiration of his tenure on Oct. 15, 2022.

    Newsmen reports that the project is valued at N20 billion.

    Fayemi gave the assurance on Wednesday during a tour of the airport and other projects in Ado- Ekiti, the state capital.

    The governor expressed delight at the level of work done at the airport, saying he is confident that the project would be delivered before he lives office.

    Fayemi disclosed that the various legacy projects put in place by his administration were designed to completely change the character of the state by turning it into an economic zone.

    He said the idea of the Knowledge Zone project was about using knowledge for wealth creation in the drive to turn Ekiti into a destination of choice for innovation, creativity, startup activities, talented city for Engineers, Computer Technologists, Agriculture Technologists, and biotechnology and medical tourism.

    This, he said, was in line with the Afe Babalola multi-systems hospital.

    Fayemi said the Ekiti Airport’s 3.2km runway was constructed with the capacity to accommodate all types of aircraft.

    According to him, the airport will also have facilities for the Nigeria Airforce to have their own operations as well as for maintenance and associated engineering components.

    “This is a routine visit again both to the Knowledge zone and the International Cargo Airport, and I am here with one of our private sector partners, the Managing Director of Axxess International, Cavista, Mr John Olajide and his team, they are collaborating with us on the private sector aspect of this.

    “You’ve seen it, the runway is completely done, the terminal building is progressing and from what the project manager has just told me, they are still on course to completing this in September and just in time before we exit but whatever is left, I have no fear again.

    “I know that the incoming administration would continue at pace with the vision that we’ve espoused for this.

    “This is going to change the character of this state completely and its is going to make this a special economic zone that is linked to the knowledge zone, almost an Aerotropolis of all range of facilities,” he said.

    Other projects visited by the governor included the Knowledge Zone, Harding Memorial College and one of the just-completed Secretariat complexes that are billed for commissioning before the end of his administration.

  • 33 passengers escape death as aircraft’s engine catches fire mid-air

    A tragedy was averted when a distressed Overland aircraft with 33 passengers and four flight crew members successfully landed at the Murtala Muhammad International Airport, Lagos on the night of Wednesday, June 15, 2022.

     

    The ATR 42 aircraft which took off from Ilorin International Airport was approaching the Lagos airport when one of its engines suddenly caught fire mid-air.

     

    It was gathered that the pilots had to send out a Mayday to the Lagos control tower for emergency response.

     

    Mayday is a term in aviation used for an emergency situation.

     

    Confirming the incident in a statement on Thursday, the airline said the aircraft experienced an unusual high turbine temperature on one of its engines.

     

    The statement added that the passengers remained calm through the turbulence while the pilots safely landed the plane.

     

    The airline also said no passenger was hurt in the incident.

    33 passengers

     

    The statement reads in part: “Overland Airways wishes to inform the general public that its flight OF1188 from Ilorin to Lagos experienced an unusual high turbine temperature on one of its engines today, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, around 7:50 pm.

     

    “This occurred in the approach phase of flight and the aircraft landed very safely as the crew skillfully implemented their standard procedures for such abnormal situations.

     

    “All 33 passengers remained calm through the process and safely disembarked row by row in accordance with post-COVID-19 procedures after the aircraft came to a halt on the Murtala Mohammed International Airport Lagos runway 18 Right. No passenger was hurt in any way.

     

    “Overland Airways salutes the professional interventions of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Accident Investigation Bureau Nigeria (AIB-N) which were very prompt and reassuring.”

     

    “Overland Airways regrets any inconvenience to its passengers and assures the traveling public of its full commitment to the safety of its services and passengers.”

  • Angry passengers block boarding gate of Airport over flight delay

    Angry passengers block boarding gate of Airport over flight delay

    Some angry passengers on Monday blocked the boarding gate of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja following a delay in their flights.

     

    According to TheNewsGuru.com, the passengers have been at the airport since Sunday night to catch flights to different destinations.

     

    As of 8:36 am passengers of Arik airline due for take-off at 7 pm on Sunday were still at the terminal ”without explanation from the flight workers or officials”.

     

    “They already had delayed it from 7 to 9pm yesterday. From 9:45 yesterday till now,” a passenger said.

     

    The passengers were said to have had an uncomfortable night at the airport as chairs within the airport served as mattresses for many of them.

     

    Recall that Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) had announced the shutting of flight operations across the country.

     

    But the association later suspended its decision.

  • Drug courier, Ezekwesili, caught with hallucinatory drug skunk

    Drug courier, Ezekwesili, caught with hallucinatory drug skunk

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has arrested a 37-year-old South African returnee, Afamefune Ezekwesili, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, AIIA, Enugu, after he arrived with the hallucinatory drug called skunk.

    It was gathered that Ezekwesili brought in big pellets of skunk concealed in detergent containers. The drug weighed 730grams.

    They arrived aboard Ethiopian Airline flight from Johannesburg, South Africa via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, said NDLEA spokesman Femi Babafemi.

    Ezekwesili is from Awka south local government area of Anambra state.

    Skunk is made from from unpollinated cannabis plants which naturally contain higher levels of THC – the substance that gives recreational users the ‘stoned’ feelings they seek from the drug.

    It can also cause nasty side effects, including paranoia and hallucinations.

    In Edo state, a 24-year-old drug dealer, Christian John, was arrested by NDLEA operatives in Egbeta, Ovia North East LGA for selling assorted illicit drugs which include sachets of drugged Milo beverage, cannabis sativa, swinol and tramadol tablets.

    In Zamfara state, one Chibuzor Uba, 30, was arrested on Friday 8th April with 1,955 ampules of pentazocine at Kaura Namoda area of Zamfara state.

    A cross-border drug trafficker, Stanley Chibuzor, 21, was arrested by officers of the Marine Unit of NDLEA stationed at Oron beach, Oron, Akwa Ibom state.

    The suspect who hails from Ihiala, Anambra state was nabbed with 11,190 tablets of Tramadol during the outward clearance of passengers travelling to Cameroon.

    In Ondo state, a drug dealer who produces and sells skuchies, Oluwaseun Agboola, 25, was arrested on Thursday 7th April, at his Igoba, Second Gate, Akure residence where 73 bottles of skuchies weighing 77kg stocked in his kitchen were recovered.

    Skuchies are usually a mixture of Tramadol, Cannabis sativa, Codeine, Black Currant (popularly called Zobo) and water.

    In Lagos, an early morning raid in the notorious Akala, Mushin area of the state on Saturday 9th April led to the seizure of 746.25 kilograms of cannabis.

    Chairman of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) commended officers and men of the MMIA, AIIA, Edo, Zamfara, Akwa Ibom, Lagos and Ondo state Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures.

    He charged NDLEA officials across the country to remain focussed and abstain from acts capable of compromising or jeopardising the collective goal of ridding Nigeria of drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking.

  • Obudu Airport project gets backing from host communities as Ayade promises early completion

    Obudu Airport project gets backing from host communities as Ayade promises early completion

    Construction of the Obudu International Airport in Cross River state has received further impetus as the five host communities where the project is sited have declared their absolute support for the project.

    This is even as Governor Ben Ayade disclosed that the Airport, when completed, will boost the state’s economy through export of ornamental flowers and other resources found in abundance in Northern Cross River.

    The communities; Atiekpe, Ikwuomkwu, Igwo, Okamibi and Abonkib made the declaration Monday in their separate presentations during an interactive session with the governor at the project site.

    The five communities disclosed that in view of the enormous economic spinoffs that will be derived from the construction of the airport, they freely donated their land to the state government.

    Most of the youths that turned out for the meeting displayed several placards with messages of support for the governor and the projects.

    “We are extremely proud that Igwo is one of the communities that donated land for this project. We are happy that in our life time, Igwo will be hosting an airport. This airport will bring jobs and development to our people. We are grateful to His Excellency,” a representative of the Igwo community said in his presentation.

    On his part, the Councilor for Obudu Urban Ward 2, Honorable Emmanuel Akomaye stated that contrary to insinuations, the land was not acquired by government, but was freely given.

    “Nobody forced us to give up our land. Our land was not acquired by government for this airport project, it was freely given,” Akomaye said.

    On his part, the Clan Head of Abonkib in Obudu Urban 1, His Royal Highness, Augustine Ikashi, said the people were fully behind airport project.

    The royal father said the project when completed will bring development to the area.

    “It is not because the governor is our own son, but because we need development, because we love progress, therefore, we are fully behind the airport project. We believe it will bring development to the entire community.

    “I think the project is the only good thing that has happened to Obudu and Cross River State. So if we have this International airport, Obudu is going to be on the world’s map.”

    Responding Governor Ayade disclosed that the state government has so far paid N500 million as compensation to the communities that donated their land for the project.

    He expressed optimism that in no distant future, the airport will be completed and operational as the federal government has already given the necessary approvals.

    His words: “We are right here at the site of an international cargo airport in Obudu, Cross River State. The intention of this airport is to provide cargo support services and export of ornamental and special flowers from the Obudu Cattle Ranch. As you are well aware, a country like Kenya does average of 39 million Euros annually exporting flower from an altitude even less than that of Obudu cattle ranch.

    “So for Cross River State, we need to have an airport here to be able to assist us take advantage of the Obudu cattle ranch. More so Obudu Cattle Ranch is a beautiful place of nature which has been heavily under utilised because of access. So we are building an airport that can allow us benefit from the full potentials of the ranch.”

    Continuing, Ayade stated that the airport will also help create access to the rich agricultural potentials of Northern Cross River to the world.

    “We have very very essential elements to find which is the agricultural heritage of Cross River State and with all the precious stones available to us, the cargo airport will be very critical”

    On the land donated by the Obudu communities for the project, the governor said: “N500 million has been paid and the work is going on. And as you can see the communities are celebrating, they are excited that I have come here in person to speak to them and hear their concerns with a view to addressing them.

    “Every single contributing village here today is excited about the potential of this airport. And we have also received the approval from the Federal Ministry of Aviation already. We have all the necessary approvals and construction work is on going. We are working very hard to see that this airport is ready by the close of this year.”

    Earlier, the Cross River state Commissioner for Aviation, Dr Jacob Otu Enyia disclosed that the airport runway will be the longest in the country at 5.6km.

    “We have also been able to remove the top soil and the next phase will see us go into filling to attain the required level as requested by the consultant,” the Commissioner quipped.

  • COVID-19: FG reduces arrivals to 2 international airports

    COVID-19: FG reduces arrivals to 2 international airports

    The Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH) has announced the reduction of arrivals from four to two international airports for effective monitoring and surveillance, to prevent the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

    The two airports are Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos.

    The Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this at a news conference on Friday in Abuja.

    Ehanire said for better control of new arrivals; international travels to Nigeria had temporarily been limited to the two international airports.

    “Other airports shall be closed to international traffic but open to domestic traffic; this decision will be reviewed as the situation demands.

    “Travelers from all countries shall be requested to self- isolate for 14 days following the guidelines provided to them; non-compliance put your families and country at risk,“ he said.

    The minister, however, confirmed four new cases of COVID-19 in Lagos, bringing the total number of cases to 12.

    “On March, 19, four additional cases of COVID 19 were confirmed in Lagos, this brings the total number of confirmed cases in Nigeria to 12.

    “Of the 12 confirmed cases, nine were reported in Lagos, two in Ogun state and one in Ekiti,’’ he said.

    According to him, Nigeria is experiencing an influx of imported COVID-19 by travelers.

    He emphasised on self–isolation for minimum of 14 days for the travelers coming in to the country, even when they were feeling very well.

    “Eight of the 12 cases are travelers from Italy, U.S., UK and France; three of the cases however, are contacts of the index.

    “ One case confirmed yesterday does not have travelling history, may be the case must have met with foreign visitors.

    “The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), is working closely with Lagos, Ogun and Ekiti to carry contact tracing of the confirmed cases.

    “I emphasise that contact tracing is extremely important.”

    Ehanire said following the declaration of COVID-19 pandemic by the World Health Organisation (WHO), and increase in recorded cases, the Federal government had continued to improve on its detective measures.

    “Our strategy is to detect and isolate new cases to interrupt and stop the spread of the virus.

    “To this end, we have scaled up our response effort, and to reduce the spread, the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 has placed restriction on travelers from 14 high risk countries.

    “The Federal Government will restrict entry into Nigeria of persons from listed high burden countries with effect from Friday March 20, for a period of four weeks,’’ he said.

    Giving an update on the index case, the minister said the patient was stable and had improved greatly, saying; “the first negative test was recorded yesterday, we will discharge him if his next test is negative.

    “Therefore as at March, 20, Nigeria has recorded 12 confirmed cases of COVID-19; one case has been discharged from the hospital, the other cases are mild and stable.

    “Contact tracing is ongoing to trace those that have had contact with confirmed cases and it is estimated that they are about 1,300 and they are going to be traced,“he said.

    Responding to questions on whether Nigeria will adopt the use of Chloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients as approved by the U.S, Ehanire said the country would consult and follow the advice from Nigerian experts.

    He said the Federal Government would upgrade the existing five laboratories to boost testing of the virus in the country.

  • EXCLUSIVE: NAAPE supports FG’s move to establish national carrier, concession 4 int’l airports

    …serves picket notice to 7 airlines, vows nationwide strike in defence of Aero workers

    The Abenego Galadima led National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, on Friday, during its Executive Council Meeting in Lagos said it will back the Federal Government’s decision to establish a national carrier and the concession of the four international airports in the country.

    As part of the decision reached during the meeting, the union also served a notice of picketing to 7 domestic airlines in the country for refusing their staff membership of the union.

    The airlines are Dana, Medview, AZMAN, Overland, FirstNation, AirPeace and Jed airlines.

    Galadima noted that the union would carry out picketing of any airlines that refuses to comply with the law as far as the union’s right to unionise is concerned without further notice.

    He said, ” NAAPE is deeply worried that many airlines continue to resist our efforts to unionise our members in their employ. These airlines continue to hold their workers in slave labour conditions, without conditions and schemes of service. Such denial of recognition to our union, and denial of the rights of the workers to belong to the union of their choice contravenes sections of the labour Act as well as fundamental principles of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”.

    The NAAPE National President stressed that the association would no longer condone this lawless behaviour by the airlines, especially as several efforts by the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment have failed to bring about a change of heart in the airlines.

    ”It is important to state clearly that this recalcitrance by these airlines pose grave danger to safety in the aviation industry”.

    On Aero contractor staff laid off and declared redundant due to the financial difficult of the airline, Galadima said “after the redundancy package negotiated by the unions on behalf of the workers, the Receiver Manager of Aero contractor, under the prompting of AMCON, has crossed the line by his unguided action of unilaterally throwing the workers affected by the redundancy exercise out of the airline without paying them their redundancy benefits, even as meager as these benefits are”

    He said in defence of the workers rights, NAAPE had decided to declare a nationwide strike in demonstration of their abhorrence of the inhuman treatment meted out to the unfortunate workers of Aero contractor.

    ” this strike action will commence at a soon to be announced date after we finalize consultation with other aviation unions, our friends in NUPENG, NUEE, and other friendly unions in the ULC family”

    Galadima called on the Federal Government through the Ministers of Labour and Employment, state aviation, Senate committee of aviation, House committee on aviation, leaders of the business community, the Diplomatic community, airport users, and the general public to prevail on AMCON to do the needful with regards to the rights of the workers of aero contractors to avert the imminent crisis of shutting down Nigeria’s aviation industry.