FAAN begins review of airport emergency plans

Determined to reduce the loss of lives and properties that often occur during accidents or incidents, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has brought stakeholders together to deliberate on how to review the Airport Emergency Plan (AEP).

In his presentation at the stakeholders meeting held at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport last week, a principal airport officer at the international airport, Mr UCHE Igumba said the review was long overdue to enable the stakeholders make fresh inputs that would allow better implementation.

Igumba who commended the gathering for their support towards the success of the review, added that the international airport had recorded progress in the safety mock exercises so far conducted in the past two years.

For the Regional Manager of airports in charge of South West, Mrs Victoria Shinaba, the Airport Emergency Plan was one of the requirements of the International Civik Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

According to Shinaba, the past experiences from the past crashes have made it compelling for all stakeholders to put heads together to achieve the common goal of reducing the impact on lives and properties.

“The objectives of AEP are to anticipate the effects of an emergency on life, properties and aerodrome operations. It is also to prepare courses of actions to minimise these effects particularly in respect to saving lives.”

While insisting that the review would go a long way in clarifying roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders, Shinaba urged that a mechanism be put in place to encourage feedback and commendations for programme improvement.

She used the period to appeal to the gathering to alive to their stipulated roles as stated in chapter 4 of AEP which she said would help to minimise fatalities during accidents.

Among the stakeholders present at the forum were traditional fathers and different professionals across the airports.