House of Representatives yesterday raised safety concerns at Kaduna  International Airport and mandated its committee on aviation to ascertain that acceptable standards are met at the airport. 

The House also asked  the committee to inspect ongoing rehabilitation at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja and report back within one week. 

Kaduna airport currently serves as an alternative following the closure of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for repair works

The decision to investigate the agency was taken following adoption of a motion presented by Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi (APC, Osun) on the need to re- view and ensure that Kaduna International Airport complies with operational and safety requirements as prescribed in the aerodrome standards of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Acts and Regulation. Leading debate on the motion, Ajayi expressed worry that aviation activities at the airport have been marred with security concerns.

He said: “The House notes that the general public, despite objections to the full closure of NAIA Abuja for a planned period of six weeks, were assured and reassured by Ministry of Aviation, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Nigeria Fire Service, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency and Meteorological Agency that the airport would be ready, fit and safe to handle the traffic arising from its new status.

“Concerned however, that despite all assurances, safety concerns have already begun to surface around aviation activities at the Kaduna International Airport", Ajayi said.

The lawmaker informed that ramp markings at the Kaduna International Airport is not adequate, adding that ramp marking restriction is allegedly being violated by unauthorized users who go right through the ramp marks and this violates international accepted standards relating to airport safety regulations.

He stated that aircraft manoeuvring and parking space is inadequate to accommodate the high number of aircraft now operating in and out of the airport. Ajayi said he was disturbed that fuelling installations and procedure at the Kaduna International Airport grossly fall short of international standard and pose grave danger to employees, passengers and general public.

“Further disturbing is that some aviation marketers have been allegedly transferring Jet A-1 product from Bulk Road Tankers directly into bowsers right on the tarmac at the Kaduna International Airport, and discharging same into aircraft.

“These marketers could not have been licensed to operate at the Kaduna International Airport using this dangerous and illegal procedure. Neither do they have the requisite equipment for storage nor quality assurance kit needed to comply with required standards", the lawmaker stated.

According to him, the airport is inadequately covered thereby leaving the airside and runway vulnerable to invasion by livestock and locals, which is dangerous to aircraft, life and property. “This poses a lot of danger to the safety of passengers and aircraft and can diminish our reputation in the international rating", Ajayi said.

He expressed worry that if these observations and concerns are not urgently addressed, the nation stands the risk of losing its International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) licence; diminishing our reputation in the international rating, even as it poses a lot of dangers to passengers and aircraft safety. Although, the motion was hotly contested by other lawmakers, Speaker Yakubu Dogara, who presided over the plenary ruled in favour of the motion after a contentious voice vote.

Those who supported the motion include Femi Gbajabiamila, Leo Ogor, Nnenna Elendu-Ukeje and Kingsley Chinda. The motion was, however, rejected by Garba Datti Ahmed, Simon Arabor and Aliyu Garba Madaki. The aviation committee is to report back within one week.

Meanwhile, foreign Airlines have continued to shun Kaduna airport since the flight diversion commenced on March 8 as only Ethiopian Airline and Arik Air have been patronising the airport in the last 12 days.

From information available to our correspondent, foreign airlines have so far landed 18 times at the airport and recorded 17 departures. The two airlines also recorded 1,056 arrivals and 1,147 passengers departed to various countries in the last 12 days.

The flight schedule, however, showed an increase in the number of local flights as 21,305 passengers have, so far, landed at the airport while 20,688 passengers departed from it as at Wednesday.

Similarly, the schedule showed that 349 and 355 aircraft landed and took off from the airport respectively in the last 12 days. 

 

New Telegraph