Nigerian Airports—Sorry, We Are Renovating… Yakubu Dati

Yakubu Dati, GM Corporate Affairs FAAN

Last year, when some Nigerian newspapers enthusiastically carried a report by an online site curiously named Sleeping in Airports  and its so-called report ,‘Best Airports To Sleep in’, which gave low marks to Nigerian airport based on sleep parameters, we made it clear that almost all these airports were under renovation.

 

Surprisingly, this year again, one or two of these newspapers are once more, bothering themselves and indeed, other Nigerians,  about  this same website which has, again, committed the fallacy of putting airports  under reconstruction under its radar. As a matter-of-fact, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello recently emphasized this point when she said that our major airports are all very much under renovation, therefore, we cannot expect to get the best from them in terms of services at this time.

 

For us at the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, the same reasons which made last year’s rating of Nigerian airports by this website absurd, are still the same reasons why the obviously unserious website that caters to extreme tastes, is yet out on a limb, this year.

 

Perhaps, aware that major Nigerian international and domestic airports  have been undergoing  structural changes under the Re-modelling/Rehabilitation Programme for the past three years, the so-called ‘ Sleeping in Airports’ yet included Nigeria, simply because, its report would  not amount to much and pass unnoticed without the inclusion of Nigerian airports.

It bears restating that, technically and aesthetically, all our international airports (which were named in the report) and many others around the country have improved dramatically in terms of infrastructure and passenger comfort.

 

Take for example, the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA1 in Lagos, where the lounge area space has been expanded to at least, three times its original size, last year. The airport is not a five star hotel and therefore not designed for sleeping. The immigration processing desk has been increased from 8 counters to 44, enabling faster processing. In addition, new passenger handling conveyors systems have been installed enabling the airport to handle 1,000 passengers per hour, currently!

 

These remarkable capacity improvements have been made to this over 40 year old airport, in order to improve service delivery and the comfort of passengers, while the new, state-of-the art, international airport terminal is under construction, nearby.

 

Gleefully, the website describes the Port Harcourt International Airport as “the dirtiest and most corrupt airport in Africa”. Moreover, any major construction site anywhere in the world would have Knicks and knacks of construction waste. So, what was different about the Port Harcourt terminal?

 

It may appear that sleeping In Airports had already made up its mind to scandalize the country’s airports as a way of giving their report a much wider mileage than it deserves.

 

The website can best be described as targeted at a back-packing carrying yippie or Western ‘gypsy’-like audience whose whims are now being mainstreamed by the unwarranted attention

given Sleeping In Airports and its tasteless report by our respected newspapers. 

Our stand therefore, is that the said ranking is unfounded, as it did not take cognisance of the fact that, the Port Harcourt Airport terminal in particular, was still undergoing re-modelling with some of its terminal operations still conducted in a temporary structure (tent). Apart from the on-going re-modelling of the existing domestic terminal, from which both international and local flight operations are conducted, construction work is also in progress at the site of the new international terminal, among other projects at the airport. 

We sincerely believe that operations at such an airport, where construction work is going on simultaneously with normal flight and related operations, cannot be as conducive as those in airports where there are no on-going construction projects. Neither can environments at such different scenarios be equally “clean”.

For all intents and purposes, this so-called survey falls far, far below the standard of a technical audit. That is not to say however, that a satisfactory customer experience at our airports is not desirable. Indeed several strategies including training performance monitoring, collaboration with ICPC are being adjusted to improve customer experience at our airport.

 

 

The high technical and safety standards of our airports are not in doubt. To confirm what we already know, Nigerian airports recently passed the Category One re-Certification audit conducted by the US Federal Aviation Authority, FAAN which is one of the most rigorous aerospace/airport audits in the world. This, I must say, is a major achievement.

 

Yet in spite of this, even before the likes of that aviation website began its reports, the repair and restructuring of the country’s airports had become an issue of urgent national attention. And as you probably all know, the deplorable state of our airports then, prompted the launch of the Airport Re-modelling and Rehabilitation programme in 2012, which is on-going.

 

Although there is tremendous pressure on the various contractors to complete all ongoing airport projects in good time, the situation becomes more challenging for these contractors since most of these airports are still in use, during the various re- construction projects.

Yakubu Dati,  General Manager of Corporate Affairs, FAAN writes from Lagos 

Arik Air raises frequency on Lagos- Douala route

Arik Air has   announced  increase in frequency on the Lagos to Douala via Cotonou route from four to six weekly flights.

According to the airline through a statement, “the new schedule which took effect on October 11, 2015 is aimed at further enhancing connectivity in the West Coast. The flights from Lagos to Douala via Cotonou and back will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Outbound flights from Lagos will depart at 11:15am, arrive Cotonou at 11:45am, depart Cotonou at 12:30pm and arrive Douala at 2:00pm. Inbound flights will depart Douala at 2:45pm, arrive Cotonou at 4:15pm, leave Cotonou at 5:00pm and arrive Lagos at 5:30pm.”

“The new schedule allows passengers to conveniently connect to these destinations with the advantage Arik Air’s extensive domestic and regional network provides. It also provides convenient connections to some of the airline’s international destinations such as New York.”

Commenting on the new schedule, Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr. Chris Ndulue said: “Nigeria and Cameroun share a lot in common as good neighbours and Arik Air is always happy to provide connections needed to foster closer relationships and promote trade”.

Arik Air is the only airline flying six times a week from Lagos to Douala via Cotonou and vice versa.

SAHCOL PROVIDES SERVICES TO SAA IN ABUJA

The Skyway Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL), has been named by South African Airways as a preferred Ground Handler in its Abuja operations. This is according to statement from SAHCOL through its General Manager , Corporate Communications, Mr. Basil Agboarumi.

“This award kicks off the beginning of another long standing relationship between SAHCOL and South African Airways (SAA), in providing seamless services to the airline.

By this contract, SAHCOL shall once again have the single privilege of providing fast and expedient ground handling services to the SAA operations in Abuja, in the areas of Passenger, Ramp and Cargo Handling services.”

Furthermore, SAHCOL said to date, it has successfully established a very strong market presence in the Domestic and International aviation industry, with its unmatched expertise in providing exceptional passenger, ramp and cargo/warehousing services.

“SAHCOL at the moment has become a reference point where the efficacy of a successful flight is born, having implemented structures/ procedures in line with international best practices, leading to expedient and speedy delivery of Aviation Ground Handling services to all its customers.

The new structures and procedures made South African Airlines to opt for SAHCOL handling expertise at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, after its operation in Nigeria for several years.

No doubt, after the takeover of SAHCOL by the SIFAX Group in December, 2009, after which the Ground Handling Company became an ISAGO certified operator, SAHCOL has continued to expand and gain credibility of Domestic and International airlines operating within and into Nigeria.”

The current face of SAHCOL is witnessing massive deployment of modern state-of-the-art Ground Support Equipment (GSE), infrastructural development and trainings, geared towards its goal of meeting and exceeding customers’ expectations.

SAHCOL is an Aviation Ground Handling company, offering services in Passenger Handling, Ramp Handling, Cargo Handling and Warehousing, Aviation security, Baggage Reconciliation, Crew Bus and Executive Lounge services and other related Ground Handling services; while ensuring that Ground Handling assignment is carried out in an efficient, speedy and safe manner, by deploying appropriate tools.

Engineer Dunoma – A Simple, Quiet Achiever -Yakubu Dati

Eng. Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director/CEO FAAN

Being at the top of his career has not changed his simple character and his quiet demeanour. Engineer Saleh Dunoma, Managing Director/CEO of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, (FAAN) appears to let his work speak for him. And so it was recently when he was honoured with the highly coveted National Productivity Award by the President, Mohammadu Buhari. Dunoma appears to share the character traits of simplicity and personal integrity with the President.

It would also have surprised many Nigerians that the country’s newspapers were not full of congratulatory messages to Engr. Dunoma on the announcement of the award to him, not because he does not deserve it, but because it reflects his quiet and simple disposition to life.

 Yet Dunoma is a very hardworking professional, as attested to by the well deserved award of the National Productivity Award for the year bestowed on him by Mr President, based on the recommendation of the National Productivity Centre of Nigeria.

Indeed last year, he also received the award as the 2014 best emerging airport – Africa region at the 4th Annual Emerging Airports Conference and Exhibition in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates quietly.

 To those who know him or work with him, Engr.Dunoma is a man of high personal integrity. He would rather let his handiwork and performances speak for him than blow his own trumpet.

Dunoma, a civil engineer was appointed Managing Director of FAAN in March, 2014 following a reshufflement in the Management of the Authority where he was until then, the Director of Projects.  Since then, he has worked hard at providing leadership duties expected of him; to enable FAAN, discharge its services at international standards. He has done this in a very professional and unobtrusive way, such that he has been able to carry along various stakeholders in the country’s aviation industry.

Last year, Engr. Dunoma rightly recognised that one of the biggest challenges facing the industry was to ensure that the ongoing upgrade and construction of new airport facilities round the country were done to specification and at highest professional standards. Thus, Dunoma set to work, along with his lieutenants at FAAN, working tirelessly to push forward to completion the ambitious aviation construction projects.

Another big challenge was making sure that our country, Nigeria retained the Category One recertification of our airspace and airport facilities by the US Federal Aviation Authority, FAA, after the recertification exercise.

Indeed, even before he became the chief executive of the government agency, he had been the FAAN’s points-man in the supervision of all these high priority aviation projects.

The Ahmadu Bello University-trained civil engineer had been appointed FAAN’s Director of Projects in 2012, a critical position which gave him direct supervisory responsibility over the ambitious Airport Re-Modelling Project involving at least, 22 federal airports round the country. 

A consummate team player and dedicated professional, Dunoma has spent over three decades in FAAN, a period which has afforded him the opportunity to become an expert in various aspects of aviation facility management, especially in the key areas of security, safety, infrastructure development and maintenance.

Dunoma started his aviation career in the Civil Engineering Dept of FAAN in 1980 and rose through the ranks to the zenith.

 But even with his appointment to the top job, Dunoma has remained simple and unassuming, preferring to motivate his lieutenants and staff of the aviation agency to deliver top performance in their onerous duties to the country.   

Dunoma recently announced that FAAN would soon start an intensive training of aviation security, airport rescue personnel and fire- fighters. He said the strategy is geared towards promoting safety, security and airport excellence, according to ICAO standards.

Only last week during the airlift of the last batch of Muslim pilgrims at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, he inspected the ongoing construction of the new terminal where he expressed confidence that the terminal will further expand the potential of the ancient city as a hub of commerce and industry.

 The FAAN helmsman was also recently at the annual general assembly, conference and exhibition of the Airport Council International (ACI) which held in Panama, a fortnight ago. Dunoma, who was a panellist at the event, emphasized the great prospects of the Nigerian aviation industry to a body that accounts for 590 regular members operating 1,850 airports in 77 countries.

For his diligence in service and hard-work, Engr.Dunoma has received several awards notably, the Distinguished Service Award for Aerodrome Rescue & Fire Fighting Services, Airport Excellence in Safety Award by the Airports Council International (ACI) and a Merit Award of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE amongst others.

 Dunoma, the simple, quiet achiever and highly experienced aviation technocrat continues to inspire the men and women he works with at FAAN and beyond, while he keeps his eyes firmly focused on the job at hand.

Yakubu Dati writes from Lagos

AVIATION PERM SEC INSPECTS COMPLETED KANO SAFE TOWER

…GIVES PASS MARK TO PROJECT

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajia Binta Bello has expressed great satisfaction over the high technical capacity of the completed Kano Safe Project at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano.

Hajia Bello who was at the airport for the final inspection of the completed Digital Safe Tower ahead of its commissioning also commended the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), for ensuring that the project was delivered promptly in keeping with the agreed timelines, stressing that the effort of the agency in maintaining safety of air navigation in Nigeria would be boosted by the sophisticated standard of the facility.

“This is very encouraging. I am highly impressed that the facility has been delivered within the period agreed with the ministry and I am happy to say that we have achieved what we bargained for within the scheduled time…other project managers should emulate this one. They have delivered a good job and on time too,” the Permanent Secretary said.  

Hajia Bello who observed Air Traffic Controllers as they controlled traffic live, using the facility was particularly thrilled that the entire process was purely digital and simple, without the use of paper strips as was the case with the old tower.

In his remarks at the event, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr Ibrahim Abdulsalam, who led the Permanent Secretary on the inspection tour along with CEOs of FAAN and NIMET informed Hajia Bello that Nigeria is one of the first few countries in Africa to procure and deploy the Digital Safe Tower and that it ranks among the latest technologies in global Air Traffic Management.

The Permanent Secretary also inspected the Safe Tower Equipment Room where digital transmission signals are received and processed for use by the control tower as well as the NIMET Forecast Office within the tower complex where weather observation and forecast is done.

Hajis Bello also took time out to inspect the progress of work at the new Kano Airport Terminal under construction which is financed by the Chinese Exim Bank.

 It will be recalled that the Safe Tower Project which was conceived since 2006 was aimed at automating air traffic management services at the four major airports in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Kano. While others have since been commissioned, that of Kano suffered a series of setbacks, leading to the rebuilding of a completely new digital safe tower for Kano airport.

Arik Air resumes flight services to Benin Airport on Sunday

As the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN opens Benin Airport for flight operations, Arik Air will be resuming schedule operations in two days’ time (September 6). According to a statement from the airline, “Arik Air, Nigeria and West Africa’s largest carrier has announced the resumption of flight services to Benin Airport effective Sunday, September 6, 2015 following the re-opening of the airport by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).”

Benin Airport was temporarily closed by FAAN on June 20, 2015 to facilitate rehabilitation works on the airport’s runway. The closure was initially scheduled to last 20 days but was further extended by FAAN.

Explaining how the operations will take-off, Arik Air said it will operate one flight each from both Lagos and Abuja into Benin on Sunday and thereafter revert to its normal schedule as from Monday, September 7, 2015.

Arik Air rated 3-star by Skytrax

…SA, Air Mauritius, Royal Air Maroc, Air Seychelles rated 4-star

…6 Asian and 1 Gulf airlines rated 5-star

Skytrax has released its annual world airline star ratings, ranking airlines by the quality of their front-line product and service standards. Nigeria’s Arik Air  made 3-star ratings  alongside 119 other airlines in the world. Arik Air is the only rated Nigerian airline. According to Skytrax website, “The 3-Star Airline Rating is awarded to airlines delivering a fair Quality performance that conforms to an industry “average” of acceptable product and service standards.

The 3-Star Airline rating signifies a satisfactory standard of core Product for most travel categories (ie. cabin of travel), but it also reflects some inconsistency amongst either standards of front-line Staff Service or Product delivery for the Cabin Service and their home-base Airport environments.”

Other African airlines in the 3-star category are: Air Algerie, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways, Egypt Air, Air Namibia, LAM Mozambique Airlines, TAAG Angola Airlines.

Meanwhile, four African airlines made the 4-star ratings , South African Airways, Air Mauritius, Royal Air Maroc and Air Seychelles.

The much enviable 5-star ratings has ANA All Nippon Airways(Japan), Asiana Airlines (South Korea), Cathay Pacific Airways(Hong Kong), Garuda Indonesia (Indonesia), Hainan Airlines(China), Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines in the category.

“The ultimate Quality Approval, this 5-Star Airline rating is awarded to airlines achieving the highest, overall Quality performance.

The 5-Star Airline rating recognises high standards of Airport and Onboard Product, together with consistent and high standards of Staff Service delivery across both the Airport and Cabin service environments. This prestigious 5-Star Airline rating recognizes airlines at the forefront of product and/or service delivery excellence.”-Skytrax