The President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), Comrade Ben Nnabue, has commended personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (ARFFS) for their professionalism and rapid response during Monday’s fire outbreak at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Terminal 1, Lagos.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Nnabue praised the gallantry and bravery displayed by the FAAN fire officers and other emergency responders, noting that their prompt action ensured the safe evacuation of all occupants within the terminal at the time of the incident.
“We are grateful that no lives were lost, a testament to the high level of skill and dedication exhibited by these heroes”, he stated.
He said the successful containment of the incident underscores the importance of continuous professional training and retraining programmes for aviation emergency personnel.
According to him, the outcome further highlights the critical role of motivation in inspiring workers to go above and beyond the call of duty, often at great personal risk.
“No machine or artificial intelligence can ever replicate the human experience, empathy and sacrifice demonstrated by these officers during Monday’s emergency response. To them, we say a resounding thank you”, Nnabue said.
He called on FAAN management to sustain and prioritise capacity-building initiatives to ensure that fire and rescue personnel maintain high levels of proficiency in line with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), and other regulatory bodies.
“As we always say, train aviation personnel to ensure the development and sustainability of the aviation sector”, he added.
Nnabue also expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Fire Service, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and other supporting agencies for their collaboration and solidarity during the emergency response.
He described the coordinated efforts of all responders as vital to the effective management of the incident and the protection of lives and infrastructure at the airport.