Stakeholders laud FAAN over ICAO audit success

Aviation stakeholders and operators have commended the efforts of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Saleh Dunoma for making it possible for the agency to pull through the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP).  According to them, Dunoma, who took the challenge of closing the gaps earlier identified by ICAO with a looming deadline, was able to meet the expectation of the world’s aviation body.

Reacting to the pass mark given to FAAN and the industry by the ICAO team at the weekend in Lagos, the President of Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), Benjamin Okewu said the agency merited the approval given it by ICAO. “I feel we merited the high score.

During the last time there were open items but a lot of those issues were addressed. The issue of training is gradual so ICAO understands that this would happen over time and that it is ongoing. Fencing the airport will take some time but even now, the airports are not as porous as people claim, because the runways are well protected and the security personnel are well trained. I think we merited the pass mark,” Okewu said.

Also speaking in the same vein, the industry consultant and the CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe said although the infrastructural status of the airports in the country may not attract a high rating but so much work has gone into safety and security. He said that Aviation Security personnel has been properly trained and they know their job and attributed this to Dunoma’s immense experience in the area of safety and security.