To enhance safety of the Nigerian airspace, the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has commissioned the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Wildlife Hazard Control Equipment to tackle the menace of bird strikes at airports across the country.
Kuku, who was represented by the Director of Airport Operations, Capt. Abdulllahi Mohmood, at the commissioning which held at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos on Friday, pointed out that FAAN having seen how dangerous bird strikes can be to safety over the years,decided to enhance its equipment to fight the threat posed by wildlife to air safety.
She said: “Today we have received the equipment from ICAO and we are going to commission it and after commissioning distribute it to the various airports across the country where it will be properly utilised in mitigating wildlife hazards that are facing us daily.
“Most of you are fully aware of recent happenings where we had so much incidences of bird strikes but fortunately at least it did not lead to an accident unlike other places.
“Even if it is not an accident, sometimes you find serious damage to the engines of the aircraft and the airline faces serious challenges in flight in form of disruption.
“Sometimes, it causes a lot of disruptions, ranging from flight delays to cancellations.”
On the cost of the equipment, Kuku ,who did not mention the amount spent, however said that millions of Naira was expended.
The FAAN boss thanked the airline operators for their patience and cooperation and that despite the challenges they face, they still supported and cooperated with the organisation.
In her vote of thanks, the General Manager Environmental Services of FAAN, Mrs. Nanlo Christopher, thanked the Managing Director of FAAN, Director of Airport Operations and the management team for ensuring that the equipment arrived safely.
She also thanked them for their support, cooperation and commitment to see that bird strikes are reduced to the barest minimum.
The General Manager noted that the issue of bird strikes cannot be over emphasised, adding that airline operators have been bashing the agency as a result of the incidents of bird strikes.
According to her, “the situation was almost becoming weekly but we are now happy that these equipment have arrived safely.
“We also want to plead when we apply, the process of procurement should be enhanced so that we don’t have this type of breach.”
She appreciated airline operators for their patience and cooperation, adding that despite the challenges the airlines did not result to legal action.