An airstrip is a critical infrastructure with enormous socioeconomic and security value in modern States. But with the proliferation of airstrips in Nigerian states, local councils, and communities, there has been an upswing in illegal aerodrome operations and much for security and safety concerns for regulators, JOKE FALAJU reports.

Airstrips are fast becoming fashionable in the design of modern communities, especially given their economic multiplier effects. But with its imperatives comes both safety and security worries for regulatory agencies.

Indeed, the current global realities have made it important for the aviation industry to focus not only on machines and men but also on the operating environment, because a poorly regulated aircraft operating environment could spell doom for the industry.

According to the Airstrip database domiciled with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigeria has about 92 airstrips, of which 68 are Federal Government airstrips managed by the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

At the same time, 24 belong to individuals and private organisations. Some are operational, non-operational, while some are under rehabilitation or being constructed. Interestingly, a few are already current with their valid operational permits.

The airstrips are: Ajaokuta Airstrip located in Ajaokuta, Azare Airstrip located in Police Barracks Azare, Bauchi State, Bacita Airstrip located in Kwara State, Bajoga Northeast Airport located in Bajoga, Gombe State, Bebi Airstrip located in Obudu, Cross River, Bida Airstrip, located in Niger State, Eket Airstrip located in Eket, Akwa Ibom, and Escravos Airstrip located in Warri, Delta.

Others are: Gusau Airstrip located in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nguru Airstrip located in Nguru, Yobe State, Potiskum Airstrip located in Potiskum, Yobe, Shiroro Airstrip located in Shiroro, Tuga Airstrip located in Bagudo, Kebbi State. Additionally, there are military air bases in Nigeria, including Katsina Air Force Base, located in Katsina State, Makurdi Air Force Base, located in Benue State, Port Harcourt NAF Base, located in Rivers State, and Kaduna Air Force Base, located in Kaduna State.

A former Minister of Aviation, Isa Yuguda, in 2005 disclosed that about 70 airstrips and aerodromes were operating illegally in the country. According to him, the illegal airstrips were uncovered by a committee set up to monitor and control private airports in the country.

He said, although it was the administration’s policy at that time to encourage the development of airports, helipads, and airstrips in different parts of the country, such facilities ought to be properly licensed and controlled by FAAN and other regulatory agencies.

Given the proliferation of these airstrips, it’s unfortunate that despite the insecurity challenge facing the nation, the airstrips are not well-regulated.

While the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has justified that the airstrips are managed by the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (MAMA) as they provide air traffic controllers and engineers at all airports and airstrips in Nigeria, as noting flies into the Nigeria airspace without the knowledge of NAMA, the airstrips must be well regulated to avoid it being used to perpetrate criminal activities.

The renewed focus of the NCAA on all types of aerodromes in a bid to expand and intensify regulatory oversight over them to enhance aviation safety is long overdue, as the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Annex 14 Volume I had specified standards for certification of aerodromes.

To this extent, the NCAA Director-General, Capt. Chris Najomo, during a stakeholders’ engagement with airstrips owners recently in Lagos, disclosed that in line with the ease of doing business principle of the current administration, the authority is working to promulgate regulations customised for airstrips, which would be a catalyst for the promotion and development of general aviation while maintaining safety standards.

The aim of the stakeholders meeting, according to the DGCA, was to, among other things, enhance communication between the authority and the state, and private airstrip operators/owners, to clarify regulatory requirements applicable to airstrip construction, operations, and safety standards, to identify and address challenges faced by the state and private airstrip operators.

The meeting also explored collaborative opportunities for airstrip development and integration into Nigeria’s aviation system and promoted the adoption of global best practices in airstrip operations and management.

While the standard, enshrined in the ICAO Annex 14 Volume 1, may be considered over-reaching for airstrip operations in Nigeria, the DG emphasised ensuring that airstrip operations are conducted strictly with all regulatory provisions and global best practices.

The NCAA Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards, Godwin Balang, emphasised the need to develop specific regulatory policies that focus on the peculiarities of airstrip development and operations.

He recalled that Section 71 (3) & (4)(a) of the CAA 2022 empowers the Authority to certify and grant permits to conduct Aerodrome operations in Nigeria and to establish minimum safety standards for the design, operation, and maintenance of aerodromes.

While acknowledging the changing dynamics of the aviation landscape, he stressed the need for regulatory strategies to align with current realities for a more impactful result. He said, “We would therefore need to tweak our regulations and other guiding documents accordingly.”

Balang also emphasised the need to deepen engagement with the ministry to streamline the operator and regulator status for effective management, adding that besides the basic AGA processes for permits, the importance of Aviation security will be emphasised.

He said: “There is a need to fashion out strategies to address emerging threats while maximising the use of the airstrips to contribute significantly to socio-economic development as a nation.”

While pointing out that regulatory duties have exceeded sanctioning defaulting aerodrome operators, he emphasised the need for strategic collaboration for effective results without compromising standards.

Meanwhile, stakeholders have raised concerns over the proliferation of airstrips by private individuals, the Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation Security Services, Group. Capt. John Ojikutu (rtd) wondered about the effectiveness of airspace surveillance in and out of the country, saying it’s important for the government to ensure that flights to any international airports in the country must be through a domestic airport for security processing.

Ojikutu said: “These airstrips may soon become assets to national insecurity. How effective is the airspace surveillance in and out of the country? I have experience with this mess with many politicians in the past. We need to classify these airstrips as uncontrolled security areas. It must also be made mandatory that flying out of the place to any international airports in the country must be through a domestic airport for security processing.”

Another stakeholder who pleaded anonymity said the country has many private airstrips that have been converted to other uses, adding, “We honestly need to be careful with the licensing of airstrips to individuals without proper supervision.”

A former Director-General of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Akin Olateru, said: “Aerodrome is not just about passengers. We honestly need to open our minds to see and appreciate that aviation is an enabler. Aviation presents so many opportunities”.

Olateru gave an example of OLAM Farms, which has 10, 000 hectares rice farm in Rumukubi, Nasarawa state, with an approved airstrip on the farm to support all aerial applications, stressing that there is an Air Tractor 502 aeroplane operating on the farm to plant rice, to spread fertiliser, and to spray herbicides.