The Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), a coalition of aviation stakeholders, has urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to enhance safety measures, maximize revenue opportunities, and improve passenger comfort at Nigerian airports.
The call was made during a meeting between ASRTI and FAAN’s management team, led by its Managing Director Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, in Lagos.
The ASRTI team, led by President Air Cdr. Demola Onitiju (Rtd), commended Mrs. Kuku’s efforts to improve airports since her assumption of office.
The ASRTI President emphasized the need for FAAN to enforce compliance with Service Level Agreements (SLAs) signed with concessionaires, provide better comfort for airport users, including the physically challenged, and regulate concessionaires’ access to newly commissioned terminals.
He proposed the installation of a monitoring device to ensure that duty-free shop operators sell only approved products.
Air commodore Onitiju (rtd) stressed the importance of establishing certification processes and monitoring retail shop operators to ensure compliance with international standards and protect the health and safety of travelers.
The ASRTI team also highlighted the need to address the issue of rats at the new terminal of the Lagos airport, which poses a health hazard, and proposed the establishment of a security fence at airports in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.
They suggested relocating the Lagos airport toll gate to create an entry and exit point, allowing drivers to pay toll only once, which would increase revenue generation for FAAN.
In response, Mrs. Kuku thanked ASRTI for its contributions to the industry’s development and commended the organization’s efforts to promote aviation safety and development.
She said, FAAN has already incorporated the needs of physically challenged passengers into its ongoing infrastructure projects, including the installation of a new elevator.
The authority the FAAN boss said, is also working on a revalidation process for concessionaires and reviewing the activities of retail shop operators to ensure compliance with standards.
Mrs. Kuku noted that FAAN is addressing the challenges of security at the cargo section and filling the gap in fire simulator training for airport fire personnel.
She also mentioned that discussions are ongoing with the Lagos State Government and the federal government to repair the dilapidated road linking the FAAN Training School to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
FAAN’s Director of Special Duties, Mr. Henry Agbebire, assured that major steps are being taken to tackle the menace of rats at the terminals, which is a health and safety hazard.
In recognition of ASRTI’s contributions to the aviation industry, Mrs. Kuku presented a plaque of appreciation to the ASRTI President, who had earlier presented a book titled “Aviation Round Table @20, The Journey So Far”
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