.. Says contract signed to build rail track from Lagos domestic to international airport
Photo Caption:
Front left, Country Manager, Gulf of Africa International Ltd., Mr. Mohammad Javeef, Managing Director, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, Director, Airport Operations, Capt. Muktar Muye, General Manager, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, (FAAN), Mr. John Ekpe and Commissioner/CEO, Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru at the commissioning of Aerodromes Fire Fighting Vehicles at the department of Fire service, FAAN, Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika on Saturday unveiled 10 ultra-modern major firefighting vehicles of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN which cost over ₦12billion.
Speaking at the unveiling of the super-structure, ultra-modern major firefighting vehicles at the FAAN Fire premises in Lagos, Senator Sirika disclosed that the government has also signed a contract to build a rail track from the Lagos domestic airport to international airport.
Sirika noted that absence of fire cover is no one reasons airports can be closed down .
He said the fire tenderd are intended to keep passenger, airport users and others very safe.
The Minister stated further that windshear equipment has also been installed in 15 airports across the country while efforts are being made to put them in all the airports in Nigeria.
He lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for his achievements in the area of upgrade of airport infrastructure and other facilities across the country.
Sirika said soon the fire trucks will be assembled in Nigeria for the country’s use and that of other the West Africa countries
He disclosed that the numbers of Air Operator Certificate, AOC, has doubled under the Buhari administration.
The Minister pointed out that all the growth recorded by the country’s domestic airlines were achieved under the Buhari administration.
He prayed that the Minister coming after him as aviation minister Will do more than what he has done for the aviation industry.
Sirika stated that what will be done in the public interest will still be done.
In his welcome address, the managing director of the FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu said
the unveiling of the 10 super-structure, ultra-modern major firefighting vehicles of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), is an attestation of quality and positive transformational changes for safe, secure and efficient Aviation sector of the Government of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Capt. Yadudu stated that the epoch-making transformation spear-headed by the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika cuts across three core areas which include:
Rehabilitation and upgrade of infra-structure,
Capacity building to enhance competency and skills to meet and supersede minimum standard. Training, manpower development and application of standard procedures in its operations.
In his words: ‘In acquiring the vehicle, we strictly adhered to all regulatory automotive standards for major firefighting vehicles.
Each vehicle not only carries 14,000 litres of water; 1,700 litres of foam and 250kg powder capacity it also monitors the discharge rate of between 6,000Litres to 10,000 Litres per minute. Acceleration rate is from 0 to 80km/hr in 30 seconds. The truck can discharge while in motion (professional pump and roll operation) and is equipped with under chassis nozzles to tackle running fuel fire”.
FAAN MD said the vehicles would be deployed to MMA Lagos, NAIA Abuja and MAKIA Kano while it also processing for additional vehicles for Port-Harcourt and Enugu.
He stated that Comprehensive training for the end users of the vehicles and mechanical units would be given
to ensure the vehicles are not only used as specified by the manufacturers, adding that they would also be maintained accordingly.
According Yadudu: ” In addition to acquisition of the major firefighting vehicles we have procured eight (8) new water tankers for continuous agent applications and more will still come. Additional eleven (11) ambulances were also procured to replace the obsolete ones that were bought in 1996.
For the first time the Fire Chiefs have their Response Commanders Vehicles, the two new Prado jeeps were deployed to MMA and NAIA respectively, more will also be procured in due course.
We have also taken delivery of Aircraft Removal and Recovery Equipment that can handle critical aircraft coming to our airports. We also enhanced the provision of dedicated water supply with hydrants. A number of dilapidated Fire Stations were renovated and provision of new ones in Kano and Enugu are in the pipe line.
More importantly this Management also took cognizance of the human factor principles the personnel being the interface between the equipment and application of procedure, consequently, a high percentage of our budget was channelled to training. This decision enabled our staff to be efficiently integrated with procedures and requirements that make FAAN better”.
FAAN MD said he’s greatly honoured to be part of this transformation for a better FAAN and better Aviation Sector.
Yadudu added that FAAN Management dedicates the ten new Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting vehicles to demonstrate its continued and elevated safety focus for passengers, aircraft and other airport users.
He said the 10 super-structure, ultra-modern major firefighting vehicles
will boost the certification of international airports in Nigeria which would increase patronage from more international flights and further enhance the confidence of international investors in our nation.
Yadudu pointed out that these efforts are geared towards ensuring Nigeria becomes an international hub in Africa.
