FAAN MD praises Tinubu for investment in aviation sector

 FAAN MD  praises Tinubu for investment in aviation sector 

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) , Mrs Olubunmi Kuku has praised the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration in leveraging sufficient support through investment in the aviation sector, describing the intervention as critical to delivering legacy projects into the industry abandoned over 50 years ago.

Kuku disclosed this on Tuesday, while pouring the last concrete for the on- going rehabilitation of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, Overhead Bridge Link , saying , the authority with the support of President Tinubu in  the last couple of weeks has spent a lot of time looking and fixing technology infrastructure and modernisation equipment and other systems that will change the overall passenger experience  at the premier gateway.

Speaking at the symbolic event, the FAAN boss said the expansion project has become a significant intervention in linking the two terminals at the international wing of the Lagos Airport , with support facilities being put in place including the Transit Hub.

Mrs Kuku said : "  I want to thank Mr. President, President Bola Ahmed Tinugu, for his dedicated support and the investment he's made in the aviation sector. I want to, of course, thank the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo,  He's given us a lot of support. He's putting us under immense pressure to make sure that this is ready and that we can deliver for Nigerians.

" We have  spent a lot of time looking at the technology infrastructure and some of the modernized equipment, including the  baggage handling equipment, some of the technology systems that will be used for check-in, as well as the retail layout, and of course, the overall passenger experience to to ensure that it will  improve." .

Speaking further, the FAAN boss said the project extends to the  expansion  of the terminal , as well as expansion of the fingers in Terminal 2 as well. 

Mrs Kuku said : " And of course, the transit hub. Today is especially important because this is  the last concrete pouring  for the overhead bridge that would allow us to link T1 and T2. I know Nigerians have expressed sincere displeasure in terms of the traffic. 

" We continue to ask them to bear with us. I am extremely excited to see the level of progress, to see that this is the last concrete pouring  it. I've just engaged some of the consultants and the engineering team on the project and I've beeninformed that in the next couple of months this will be ready for use. 

: " As you can see substantially the canopy work and the form is being completed. The rails are on. This is the last concrete work. I'm sure that by the December peak period we should be able to have this open for use. In terms of the overall project itself, it's moving along very well. You can see behind me the progress with Terminal 1, the iconic structure, which is the Eagle, where the canopy will be. The form has also been put in place. We're now putting in the facade and the canopy for that. 

" The facade of the existing building is going on as well. Over the last couple of weeks, we spent a lot of time looking at the technology infrastructure and some of the modernized equipment, so the baggage handling equipment, some of the technology systems that will be used for check-in, as well as the retail layout, and of course, the overall passenger experience to to ensure that it will be improved." 

On the proposed light rail services for the Lagos Airport, the FAAN boss said : " That project is actually being initiated by the ministry. But of course, as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, we are the users. The project in itself is an extension of the red line to the airport. So the red line today stops in the Ikeja area, at least the closest stop for us. It will connect into the Lagos Airport. 

" I believe we have about four or five stops within the airport area. There's a stop for Terminal 1, Terminal 2. There's a stop by Hajj and  Cargo. There's a stop for the offices. And I think there's another stop by Bessam. But the whole idea is to connect the city to the airport.

" So from the airport, you should be able to get into Marina almost immediately. You shouldn't have to use cars. So, of course, we're also thinking about how we improve the mobility options that we have at the airport.'

She spoke of plans to engage communities on the corridor to ensure the relevant procedures and processes are scaled before delivery.

Mrs Kuku said : " Remember, for large projects like this, there's a lot of development work that goes into it. The environmental impact assessments  are being done at the moment. I know Nigerians are always concerned when it comes to environmental impact assessment..  Some of the design works are  being reviewed and as we go along with the procurement processes of the federal government as well but this will be a landmark project obviously to complement some of the work that we're doing in terminal one and two." 

While appealing to passengers and airport users , she said : "  I would say that passengers have been extremely patient with us. I have seen people who have expressed frustrations. Those frustrations happen, especially in an airport that has been here for about 50 years with no major upgrades.

"  If you look at other cities across the world where you have major airport traffic, what you're seeing is, you know, over time, there are major improvements that are happening. They don't wait for 50 years to get that done.

" The  fact that the federal airport authority and the federal government have  now taken the  decision to act now,  is an accolade.

"  But,  at the same time i do want to say that  it has  been a bit of a challenge but at least you're all here today you can see the progress that we've made and it's actually for the betterment of the country of the passengers .,  being the airport as the first point of entry for us." 

On what is being put in place for passengers with reduced mobility, Mrs Kuku said : " So for passengers with limited mobility, I think one of the other challenges that we've had, for example, we haven't been able to use our avio bridges over the last few months just because of the work that is going on. 

" We do have, so the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has just brought in two ambulifts into the airport. I know that one of the ground handling companies has also brought one.

" There's at least three ambulances that have come in. In terms of mobility on its own, so a few things. 

" Some of the technology systems that we're using, like the flight information display systems, will be able to cater for passengers with special needs. So for audio, so audio enhancement, visibility, those that are visibility impaired. We also have experienced teams that are also supporting them as well, ensuring that some of the activities, such as wheelchair accessible access,

"  All of those things are being put in and considered. So making sure that the elevators have ramps in place. If you actually look at the fingers, so when you're actually coming out from the gates as well.

"  So in the past, you didn't have a clear separation of departure and arriving passengers. We now have a clear separation. There are ramps that are also going to  have wheelchair accessible to be able to move them into the terminals as well.

So a lot of consideration has gone in. We want to make sure that this is an inclusive project for all of our passengers." 

On plans for Detty December, the FAAN boss said : " So what I do want to say is that, yes, we have a plan to support, but it's really not about a plan. What I want to appeal is, one, to please have a sense of understanding, understand the operations that we're actually running. 

" We have a highly volatile construction environment going on. We also have an operational environment. It's quite challenging to be operating an airport and having such a major rehabilitation going on. We've done a couple of things. We've recently connected the Seymour  Car Park to Terminal 2.

" That way you can go directly into your cars. And I also want to address one thing. We've witnessed a lot of traffic from passengers that are dropping off in Semar. It is not because of a design issue, because we've seen that and we've seen people say, oh, what are these guys doing? It's actually because of the attitude of passengers. 

" We're seeing passengers who want to come in and actually just stay on level one. They don't want to go up. They don't want to. They don't want to move their cars to that floor because of just the exit or the direct connection to the terminal. So we're appealing to passengers to please follow the instructions.use directional signs, get into the airport at least three or four hours before your flight, because we know it's a bit hectic. 

" Check with your airlines for any updates that exist. We're also making sure that we deploy a lot more people into the airport during that period. So support from an experience perspective is guaranteed ."  .