FAAN moves for safer flights, installs birds control equipment

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has installed birds control equipment at the airports in a move to improve safety of flights in the country.

The new facilities, according to a statement by the spokesperson for the authority, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, were inaugurated last week.

She gave a list of the equipment as three different models of bird scaring gas canons; day boxes for carrying pyrotechnics during operations for safety; 15,000 rounds of 12G (heavy-calibre bird scaring pyrotechnics); hi-tech bird laser; personal protective equipment for workers dealing with wildlife; purpose-built TYPE IV explosive storage magazine and brand new Hilux jeep for runway wildlife patrol.

The installation started with the Murtala Muhammed International Airport considered the busiest airport in the country, which recently experienced some bird strikes resorting in flight abortion.

FAAN said the equipment would usher in an era of safe flight operations, as incidents relating to birds strikes would be mitigated.

At an event held at FAAN’s headquarters annex in Lagos, the Managing Director of FAAN,  Captain Rabiu Yadudu, who was represented by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Alhaji Sadiku Rafindadi, said that the facilities were some of the best around.

He said the authority procured them on the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

FAAN Director of Airport Operations, Captain Muktar Muye, expressed his delight at the arrival of the equipment.

He noted that what was being commissioned was not just the equipment but a complete package that also included the recommended storage facility, patrol vehicle and trained personnel in line with ICAO/Standards and Recommended Practices.

The highpoint of the event was a practical demonstration of the use of some of the equipment by the representative of the MD/CE and the Director of Airport Operations.

Also in attendance were the General Managers; Operations, Mrs Olajumoke Oni; Environment, Mr Nehemiah Auta; Special Duties, Mr Kabiru Muhammed; Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting Service, Mr John Ekpe; Regional General Manager, South West, Mrs Victoria Shin-Aba; representative of the GM Corporate Affairs, Mrs Christabel Eromosele; Chief of Staff to MD/CE, Mr Lawal Abdullahi and others.