Airport operations are a serious business. As a matter of fact, the big four airports in Nigeria are among the busiest airports in terms of flights and cargo in the world, due to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria’s role in ensuring compliance with all aviation rules and regulations. Airports in the country are managed by a FAAN, though the airports are not owned by the Federal agency, it has utilized their capacities.
Stakeholders in the industry say Nigeria is an important country for air transport in view of her huge market. According to them, in the air transport business, Nigeria is actually in the right direction.
They also suggest that concessioning of airports would bring about effective and efficient management of the facilities and the Federal Government will maintain its ownership.
The management of airports under FAAN has been productive, in many ways.
Airports in the country under the control of FAAN have enjoyed smooth running. FAAN, who is responsible for airport facilities and services such as Offices, building and civil infrastructure, Security, Fire and Rescue service, has helped with development of airports in the country.
FAAN offers an array of irresistible incentives and doing business with stakeholders has become easier.
The agency has committed material and human resources into the renewal and expansion of infrastructure at airports, starting with five international buildings at Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano and Enugu airports.
Established 1935, the functions of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria are as contained in Part II of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Act of 1996 as amended in 1999 is to develop, provide and maintain at airports and within the Nigeria Air Space all necessary services and facilities for the safe, orderly, expeditious and economic operation of air transport.
Under the supervision of its Managing Director, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, who canvassed for the suspension of its contribution to the Federal Account, FAAN has provided adequate conditions under which passengers and goods may be carried by air and under which aircrafts may be used for other gainful purposes, and for prohibiting the carriage by air of such classes as may be proscribed.
Nigeria has 32 airports, 26 of which are operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and five of which are functional international airports. It also has a state-owned airport located in Akwa Ibom State.
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has intensified efforts to enhance the training of personnel in its agency. The Agency has at different times taken steps to address personnel shortage in the Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Service.
In order to boost the morale of staff and enhance the manpower growth of the agency, Yadudu’s leadership at FAAN, in spite of the dwindling economy in the aviation sector, has been able to keep the welfare of staff on its front burner. The Agency has also maintained a culture of prompt payment of staff salaries even in the face of dwindling revenues.
The clamour for concession of some airports, will also boost the revenue of the FAAN and consequently enhance the ability of the agency to develop manpower. The Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu’s leadership style at the agency has created a conducive and attractive business environment in most major airports in the country that will attract investors to partner with FAAN to do business at the airports.
The Agency has provided accommodation and other facilities for the effective handling of passengers and freight and has also committedly developed and provided facilities for surface transport within airports.
The Agency, likewise has provided adequate facilities and personnel for effective security at all Airports; and generally to create conditions for the development in the most economic and efficient manner of air transport and the services connected with it.
FAAN has managed airports, either state-owned or federal-owned effectively, bearing in mind that these airports were set up with billions of Naira of public money. The airports are managed by different departments of FAAN, under whose purview different levels of power reside.
Kudos to FAAN; viable airports in the country have enabled the aviation industry carry out more manpower development, as this has increased
revenue from charges and taxes from services they render at the various airports.
Contrary to submissions that FAAN is overburdened and has outlived its purpose, the Agency has not. FAAN, as an independent body, has control administration and infrastructure provision in the country, fairly-well.
Olamide Adeniji is a member of the editorial team of TheScript Newspaper
