Minister rolls out new initiatives, special marshals for cleaner airports

We will support Borno to launch Muhammadu Buhari Int’l Airport, says FAAN MD

To improve the standard of airports nationwide, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, yesterday, rolled out new initiatives, which includes appointment of voluntary special marshals for the critical facilities.

Though those facilities and their managements are the statutory remits of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and under the supervision of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Keyamo said that the move aimed at “addressing expectations of the travelling public, who daily utilise our airports across Nigeria”.

Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Tunde Moshood, in a statement, hinted that the minister, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, would appoint the voluntary Special Airport Marshals, who are resident in cities where airports are located.

He said: “These marshals, comprising public-spirited individuals drawn from members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and representatives of State Governors, will conduct unscheduled visits to the airports. Their role will be to monitor staff conduct and assess the general hygiene and conditions of the airports.

“The voluntary Special Airport Marshals shall report directly to the Honourable Minister, who will issue necessary directives to FAAN based on their findings.”

Moshood added that with this initiative, the Minister would no longer rely solely on official reports from Airport Managers but would also consider independent observations from these voluntary Special Airport Marshals.

“This will bring an additional transparent layer of supervision to our airports as it will ensure that Airport Managers, who receive monthly allocations for airport maintenance, are held accountable for their responsibilities,” the statement read in part.

Similarly, the minister, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the Managing Director of FAAN, key directors of the Ministry and FAAN, and members of the Senate and House Committees on Aviation, will conduct unscheduled monthly inspections of airports nationwide.

During these visits, “the Minister will personally participate in various operational activities, demonstrating leadership and emphasizing the value of diligent service”.

The Minister will also address airport staff, hear their complaints and encourage them to uphold professionalism and serve the public courteously.

In a related development, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, has pledged the Federal Government’s support to the government of Borno State in the ambitious endeavour to launch the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport in Maiduguri on January 1, 2025.

Kuku made the commitment after a stakeholders meeting convened by the Executive Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, at the Government House in Maiduguri recently.

Kuku expressed FAAN’s commitment to deploying its manpower and resources to achieve the target date.

The meeting was attended by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who, in no uncertain terms, “directed FAAN to extend all necessary support to ensure the realisation of this significant project”.

Kuku assured all parties that FAAN would not only meet but exceed the directives, stressing that FAAN would ensure adherence to both local and international aviation regulations and provide comprehensive guidance and technical expertise to propel the Muhammadu Buhari International Airport project to fruition.

She commended the vision and determination of Governor Zulum, underscoring FAAN’s commitment to offering appropriate technical support to this commendable initiative.