The Nigerian House of Representatives has summoned Minister of Aviation Festus Keyamo, along with the heads of relevant agencies and departments, to address critical safety issues in the aviation sector.
The committee on Aviation expects their appearance within the next seven days.
Key concerns include ensuring that only qualified professionals are employed in sensitive airport positions, as highlighted by Jesse Okey-Joe Onuakalusi (LP, Lagos), who moved the motion. The House has called for a comprehensive audit of airport personnel to enhance traveler safety.
Additionally, the Ministry of Aviation is tasked with auditing all contractors engaged in specialized airport areas over the past year. This audit aims to assess contractors’ knowledge, competency, and performance, ensuring that only those with proven expertise are retained. Contractors must present detailed company profiles, showcasing their expertise and previous work experience.
The House also mandates an audit of technical systems and projects, including RADAR systems, radio communications, the Safe Tower project, and the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) Automation project. These audits are crucial to address ongoing concerns about the competency and accountability of airport personnel and contractors, which have recently been highlighted by various incidents.
Onuakalusi emphasized the necessity of maintaining high safety, security, and efficiency standards at Nigerian airports, given their critical role in national security, safety, and economic development. He expressed particular concern over the abysmal state of RADAR systems, which he described as a disaster waiting to happen due to frequent failures during critical times, risking mid-air collisions.
Communication radios at airports also need urgent attention, with pilots and controllers currently relying on relays for necessary instructions, posing a national embarrassment risk. The stalled Safe Tower project, despite significant investments, requires immediate action to improve tower efficiency. The AIS Automation project, which could resolve many communication challenges in the airspace, remains incomplete after over 15 years.
Onuakalusi pointed to potential irregularities in the employment and appointment of personnel and contractors at major Nigerian airports, including those in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu. He stressed that recruitment into technical areas must be regulated to prevent incompetence resulting from skewed processes and called for appropriate sanctions for offenders related to airspace management.
The lawmakers emphasized that Nigerian airports are vital to the nation’s transportation infrastructure and economic development. Ensuring the qualification and competence of all personnel and contractors is paramount to maintaining the safety and efficiency of these critical facilities.
