ICAO congratulates NIMET on ISO CERTIFICATION attainment

Aviation Nigeria

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has congratulated the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) for attaining ISO 9001: 2008 certification.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Head of Corporate Communications of NIMET, Mrs Eva Azinge, in Abuja on Friday.

It stated that ICAO in a letter to NIMET, expressed its delight for the accomplishment. The statement reiterated ICAO's willingness to support and assist NIMET in its aeronautical meteorological services in Nigeria and to keep contributing to aviation safety records in the West African sub-region.

``Specifically, ISO 9001; 2008 edition which directly affects NIMET, specifies procedure to assist the agency to develop and deliver structured processes, aimed at safeguarding the quality of the agency’s packaged products.

``In recognition of its international linkages and commitment to giving value to Nigerians, NIMET has continued to give accurate weather and climate information in support of aviation and other sectors of the Nigerian economy.’’

It stated that four international airports in the country -- Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, are mandatory to the Quality Management Services standards set by ICAO, since the concept was new in Nigerian aviation.

``These airports were chosen because they are international gateways to the country. Through these airports, travellers and foreigners can be rest-assured that the services they receive meet international requirements.

``This certification, is however, subject to periodic review. It is all about standards: customer/producer relationship which compels the producer to ensure a continuous improvement in products and services,’' it stated.

AISAN lauds FG over AIS automation

Aviation Nigeria

The current drive by the Federal Government to make the Nigerian airspace rank among the safest in the world, is fast becoming a reality as the automation project of aeronautical information services at the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has reached 97 percent  completion.

The Aeronautical Information Services  Association of Nigeria (AISAN), commenting on this development, lauded the Federal Government and the management of NAMA for expediting action on the  AIS  automation which has informed the installation of  two antennae each  at 11 airport stations across the country.

According to the AISAN president Comrade Babatunde Shittu, AIS automation would further boost air safety in Nigeria and enhance search and rescue operation as National Emergency Management Agency(NEMA) is incorporated into the project.

The airports to benefit from the project include: Lagos, Kano, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Jos, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Owerri, and Yola. Others are Zaria, Calabar Osubi, Minna, Kaduna, Enugu, Katsina, Ibadan, Benin, Akure, Bebi, Bonny, Eket and Escravos.

Comrade Shittu  who led a delegation of AISAN executive on a courtesy visit to NAMA management thanked the Managing Director, Engr. Mazi Nnamdi Udoh for his relentless effort to actualize the dream of AIS automation.

 He appreciated the MD for the migration to e-flight plan since November, 2012 in compliance with ICAO directive and the recent deployment of more staff to the department.

Shittu also urged Engr. Udoh to ensure that Nigeria transits from Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) to Aeronautical Information Management (AIM) on or before the 15th November 2013 according to amendment 37, annex 17 of ICAO convention.

The NAMA boss , appreciated the effort of the association, assuring them that the project, with the support of the Federal Government through the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah would  be completed as scheduled, so that the traveling public would  continue to enjoy seamless air navigation.

He also solicited the co-operation of staff to ensure that the vision of the Federal Government in transforming the aviation sector into a world class entity is achieved.

Dana: Compensation per passenger, not per family

Aviation Nigeria

The Ministry of Aviation has rejected reports in the media that Dana Air is reluctant to pay family members of the June 3rd 2012 Dana air crash victims claiming compensation is per family and not per passenger.

A statement by the Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Aviation, Joe Obi reads “Recently, we have come across disturbing reports in the media quoting some family members of the victims of the Dana air crash of June 3rd, 2012 to the effect that the airline is reluctant or unwilling to pay mandatory compensation to legitimate victims’ families per passenger”

“The reports suggest that Dana airlines, in instances where more than one family member was a victim of the crash, allegedly said it is paying compensation per family, not per passenger as required by law and extant local and international Civil Aviation Regulations.

“For the avoidance of any doubt, compensation for air crash victims is per passenger, not per family. In situations where several family members are victims, as is the case with the Dana crash, compensation is to be paid according to the number of persons involved and not per family as is being alleged against Dana Airline in some media reports. Neither Dana, nor any other airline for that matter can alter this rule.

The Aviation ministry noted that “Specifically, Section 48(3) of the Civil Aviation Act of 2006 provides that in any case of aircraft accident resulting in death or injury of passengers, the carrier shall make advance payments of at least US $30,000 within 30 days from the date of the accident to the natural persons or such natural persons entitled to claim compensation.

“Additionally, Article 17 of the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules for International Carriage by Air, under the Second Schedule to the Civil Aviation Act of 2006, holds the carrier liable for damage sustained in case of death or bodily injury of a passenger.

It further stated that “Article 21 of the Modifications to the Convention for the Unification of Certain Rules Relating to International Carriage by Air, under the Third Schedule to the Civil Aviation Act of 2006, commands the payment of the sum not exceeding 100,000.00 United States Dollars for each passenger in case of death.

The statement reiterated that compensation is to individual passengers; “Note that the operative words are ”each passenger”. It will therefore be a violent violation of the law for any airline to do otherwise”.

The Ministry warned the general public, especially family members of victims of the Dana crash to “disregard any rumour, excuse or explanation contrary to the foregoing”.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Aviation is working with Dana Airline and the Insurance companies to resolve all lingering issues and expedite the process of payment of full compensation to legitimate family members and Next of Kin of the victims.

NCAP 2013 in line with ICAO regulations - Aviation Minister

Aviation Nigeria

Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah has said that the nations airports will be structured to international standards.

"We shall not relent in our efforts to totally transform all airports in the country up to international standards" 

This was during an online media chat on 9 May 2013, held to discuss key issues about the newly released Nigerian Civil Aviation Policy 2013.

The discussion more referred to in online media language as a 'tweet-meet' featured key discussion on several topics of the policy including Private registration, Passenger insurance and the Aerotropolis project.

Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah said the formulation of the aviation policy had been ongoing for over a year adding that stakeholders were well aware and contributed to the development of the policy.

Princess Stella Oduah pointed out that steps were immediately taken to draft a new aviation policy, after a review of international practices indicated the the old policy did not completely address global trends.

While speaking about the controversial clause regarding friends and associates being barred from private jets, Oduah lamented that wrong interpretations were being made:

"The sections of the policy which people are mixing up is related to insurance for passengers on private jets."

"There is nowhere in the new policy where friends are barred from being on board their friend's private jet." Oduah said.

She stressed the need for sufficient focus on air safety and passenger insurance as well as a coordination of both: "Any insurance policy that indemnifies private jet owners in the event of an accident or mishap will be adequate." she said.

The Minister also pointed out that the new policy will also aid the tackling irregular practices in the sector.

They had been on-going media discussions about the position of the NCAP 2013 on private jet owners. Since its release during the week, several interest groups have sought to properly understand and adapt to its legal framework.

Opinion Post: Akwa Ibom Int’l Airport: Providing Wings in a flying State

by ESSIEN NDUESO

It is often said that the peacock is always proud of its feather and loses no time displaying it whenever opportunity beckons. This is presumably the summary of the story of the Akwa Ibom international airport.

When Governor Godswill Akpabio laid the foundation stone of the interim terminal building of Akwa Ibom International Airport (AKIA) in December 2007, not many people showed significant enthusiasm for the progress of development of the then newly started Airport. Akpabio’s promise to land a large body aircraft at the airport the following year was taken with a pinch of salt because the previous administration had failed to make any significant progress despite repeated assurances on the airport. 

To be candid, several other prime infrastructural projects before that time were witnessing very slow pace of implementation. And this situation substantially accounted for the inability of most government projects to be completed and inaugurated for public use before the coming of the Akpabio administration.

The actual construction on the building commenced in January,2008 and in September, 2009, not only was the interim terminal building completed but such other complementary facilities like the control tower ,Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Service (ARFFS) unit, communications room, the runway and internal road network among others in the Airport had also been completed. Before this time, and in June 2009 when several media editors and aviation correspondents visited the airport to see things for themselves, they were overheard whispering that the terminal building and the control tower can never be ready by September, 2009. Some of them even said that should a plane land in Uyo on September 23 that year, it will undoubtedly enter the Guinness record book.

All that is history, as an inaugural flight touched down on the tarmac of the Airport on 23rd September, 2009, the 22nd anniversary of the creation of the state. On that day an Arik Air, Boeing 737-900 Aircraft loaded with passengers was received into the facility with an unprecedented enthusiastic crowd of well meaning Nigerians, mostly Akwa Ibom indigenes flocked to the airport to keep a date with destiny.

Knowing too well that the responsibility of implementing his vision in the aviation sector was enormous, Chief Akpabio bestowed the task of seeing this vision through , on the shoulders of a humble and dynamic Austin Mbeh, a lawyer and grassroot politician. Those who who know Barr Mbeh, can always vouch that he is one who is committed to quality service delivery and hates mediocrity with passion. At all times Mbeh had discharged his assignments diligently. As publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP in Akwa Ibom State, and was considered a great pillar behind the success of the Uwem Ita Etuk-led executive. At the time of his appointment as commissioner in the State Executive Council, he was overwhelmingly being sought after by Ikot Ekpene federal constituency to represent the constituency in the green chambers of the national assembly. His first port of call was the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Barr Mbeh brought life into the ministry, including organizing the national festival of Arts and Culture, NAFEST.

Since his appointment as superintendent, the airport has not witnessed any lull in breaking new grounds and hitting fresh milestones. Apart from securing all the necessary approvals from the myriad of aviation regulatory and other oversight bodies, the Airport has retained a sustained partnership with reputable Airlines who are operating scheduled passenger services into it. These are beside frequent corporate and chartered operations that are run by entities such as Julius Berger, Exxon Mobil, Banks and other innumerable individuals and organizations.

Akwa Ibom airport is arguably the first Airport in Nigeria to secure approval for its operational manual. This also entails regular updating of its critical safety facilities to bring them in sync with international best practices as enunciated by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). For instance, in October, 2010, AKIA underwent the commissioning/calibration of the navigational aids by the Senegalese-based company, ASECNA. Shortly after that, the facility achieved the upgrade from Visual Flight Rule (VFR) status to Instrument Flight Rule (IFR) operations and night operations.

At so many times, people do wonder if the airport does deserve to be branded an international airport. Akwa Ibom International Airport has fulfilled her mandate as an international facility having commenced yearly direct airlifting of Christian pilgrims from Uyo to Jerusalem since December 2010. The operations cover pilgrims from three states of Akwa Ibom, Abia and Cross River.

AKIA was designed with three major components, namely; the passenger airport, the cargo wing and the Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) facility. Its runway dimension of 3.6 km by 60m expandable to 4.2km makes it the second longest runway among Nigerian airports only cueing behind the international runway of national premier gateway, the Muritala Mohammed Airport, Lagos of 3.9 km. The critical Aircraft for AKIA is Boeing 747. This is beside the fact that the Airport is now putting in place the requirement to handle the Airbus A380 by adjusting taxiway dimension and parking areas (Apron). The new terminal building under construction is making provisions for the A380 airbus.

Having come this far with the first phase of development, the second phase is going to focus on considering and selection of an operator for the MRO together with securing all the technical approvals. This phase will also witness the building of the main terminal building (contract for construction and equipment has already been awarded) and the taxi way in addition to extending the interim terminal building apron. Also a brand new VIP hanger is being developed besides the main MRO. In addition, the MRO apron will also be extended to accommodate cargo operations. Contracts for all these have already been awarded by the state Government and works have since commenced.

From the foregoing, it is clear that AKIA has been strategically positioned for seamless international aviation services.

On the standard quality of facilities at the airport, the commissioner for special duties, Barr. Austin Mbeh opened up during the 2013 budget defense session held at the House of Assembly Complex. An elated Barr. Mbeh informed the lawmakers that the Ibom International Airport has earned the rating of the productivity merit award as the best and neatest airport in Nigeria.

Recently, Barr. Mbeh led a cream of journalists in the state on a tour of facilities at the airport. The pressmen were conducted round the taxiway, apron expansion and the international Terminal building site at the Airport.

Briefing them, Commissioner Mbeh, explained that the decision by Governor Godswill Akpabio to give Akwa Ibom people such world class facility which he noted has remain a signature project of the uncommon transformation agenda of his administration, was in line with his promise to change the status of the state from a mere pedestrian state to a destination of choice.

Akwa Ibom International Airport according to Austin Mbeh is rated as the best in Nigeria in terms of facility, operation, management as well as cleanliness of the airport, and any attempt to say more than this amounts to overemphasis.

Conducting newsmen round the sites of taxi way , apron and International Terminal building handled by Gitto Construction company and Alcon Nigeria Limited, respectively, the Special Duties commissioner explained that the provision of a taxi way at the airport became necessary in order to complement the runway in view of the anticipated increase in air-related activities that would arise upon the completion of the International Terminal and M.R.O Facility. Already the Nigeria Airspace management Agency, NAMA, has granted a 24 hour flight operation status to Ibom airport.

At the Maintenance Repairs and Overhaul facility which is nearing completion, representative of Alcon Nigeria Limited, Engr. Micho and the Consultant, Engr. Simeon Aroroye, informed members of the press that commercial operation at the M.R.O. will commence in the third quarter of 2014.

It was also gathered that over N400 million have so far been generated by the Ibom Airport , with a passenger volume of One hundred and Eighty seven thousand patronizing the airport as at 2012.

At the International Terminal building where work was seen progressing steadily, the contracting firm ALCON, assured of its readiness to deliver the assignment on schedule. The Akwa Ibom International Airport readily presents a clear picture of a state on wings soaring to higher heights, little wonder everyone visiting Akwa Ibom in recent times has not been able to resist the temptation of applauding Governor Akpabio for the vision of executing an international aviation facility in the State.

Clearly seen, the airport has not only placed Akwa Ibom on the international aviation map, it has made the state a vibrant and pulsating economy teemed with the life of living with investors and tourists; playing host to an unprecedented number of passengers since the commencement of commercial operations there, and the fact that most air travelers to this part of Nigeria prefer the world’s newest airport, survey indicates that passenger traffic has skyrocketed with its resultant booming revenue generation.

ESSIEN NDUESO writes from Uyo,Akwa Ibom State

Nigeria will continue to play key roles in African aviation - FAAN

Aviation Nigeria

The Nigeria aviation industry will continue to play key roles in aviation development in the continent as demonstrated by its massive infrastructural investment in airport developments.

This was stated by the Managing Director of Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. George Uriesi while speaking to newsmen at the meeting of the Airports Council International, African region, holding in Morocco.

According to a statement by the FAAN General Manager, Corporate Communications Yakubu Datti, “Mr. Uriesi who spoke passionately on the remodeling project going on in Nigeria said aviation holds the key to enormous opportunities for massive economic growth and development in the region.

He elaborated on the designation of airports as regional hubs to maximize their potentials and that the development of cargo ports is aimed at opening up the country to benefit from its full potential as an Agro-allied economy.

According to the MD, “the obstacle removing leadership provided by the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah has re-positioned the country as a serious global player ready to occupy its pride of place”.

He said the conference falls within the framework of the initiative launched by ICAO and ACI to promote safety and has allowed stakeholders to contribute proactively to the requirements of a safe and secure air transportation system. Furthermore, the conference is meant to sensitize participants on the importance of runway safety and the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders in the air transport chain.

The statement also noted that 2 directors from FAAN, Capt Henry Omeogu and Hajia Salamatu Eluma, in their presentations gave useful insights to progress made in FAAN and Nigeria in general. Mr Peter Onyeri while delivering a paper on runway safety, enumerated on the efforts and strategies for a sustainable safety in the African sub region.

The ACI Africa which is referred to as the voice of African airports leads represents and serves the African airport community, has membership of 50 African countries in the sub region.

The conference was supported by major industry players namely, the International Air Transport Association (IATA), the International Federation of Air Traffic Controllers’ association (IFATCA), the Civic Air Navigation Services Organisation (CANSO), the Flight Safety Foundation (FSF) and other organizations of the air transport industry.

Nigeria to host African Aviation Conference

Aviation Nigeria

Nigeria has been nominated by the executive of the Civil Air Navigation Organisation in Africa to host its first regional conference.

The conference billed for Abuja, is to hold between October 7 and October 11, 2013.

This was disclosed in Lagos on Thursday by the Regional Director, Africa Affairs, Ms. Boni Dibante, when she paid a visit to the headquarters of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency in Lagos.

The conference, which is intended to review air navigation safety globally, especially in Africa, will also chart the way forward for aviation safety as well as develop strategies for improvement.

A statement from the NAMA quoted Dibante as describing the forthcoming event as historic, being the first to be organised by the newly established CANSO Africa Regional Office.

He urged NAMA leadership to strive towards a successful outing.

Participants at the conference would be drawn from the 11 African members, other global members as well as ICAO and industry regulators around the world, he said.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Mr. Nnamdi Udoh, commended Dibante for “doing a great job with CANSO in Africa by creating awareness and ensuring that safety regulations are adhered to within the continent.”

Source: PUNCH