The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has issued Air Drone certificate to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport and the Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo International Airport, Port Harcourt, to guarantee safety for passengers, airlines and cargo.
The certificate issuance took place at the NCAA headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Air Drone Certificate is an Official approval that an airport meets safety and operational standards, which includes the airport’s runways, navigation aids, fire services, security, emergency plans, and more.
The NCAA Director-General, Captain Chris Najomo, said the Certification is the demonstration of the NCAA’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that every aerodrome in Nigeria meets the requirements prescribed in the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations 2023 Part 12, Vol. I which represents the domesticated version of International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO Annex 14, Volume I.”
Presenting the two certificates of aerodromes to the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Captain Najomo, further highlighted that “ the two airports are now been adjudge compliant and have no matters of significant safety concern outstanding.”
He emphasised that aerodrome certification is a globally recognised attestation that the aerodrome infrastructure is safe; operationalI procedures meet international benchmarks, and their safety management systems are functional.
He said, “For Nigeria, it is another step towards strengthening our aviation credibility and competitiveness which aligns with the aviation Minister’s 5-point agenda in particular, and Renewed Hope Agenda in general, that emphasizes infrastructure renewal, institutional strengthening, and improved service delivery across strategic national sectors, including aviation.”
He reaffirmed that the NCAA wiould maintain continuous adherence to Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and ICAO Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), uphold robust safety management systems, adopt technology-driven operational practices, ensure quality-driven and transparent processes that satisfy all stakeholders,
The FAAN Managing Director, Mrs. Kuku said FAAN received the certificates with humility and a clear understanding of the responsibility they confer on the authority.
“We acknowledge the Authority’s note regarding the outstanding items in the corrective action plan, let me assure the NCAA of our strict adherence to this corrective action plan” she assured.
“The certification of these two major international gateways is a strategic pillar of growth in Nigeria’s aviation sector. It reinforces confidence for airlines, assures passengers of our commitment to world-class safety, and enhances Nigeria’s standing within the global aviation community,” she added.
Earlier, the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (Daas), Godwin Balang, the supervising Director, said his responsibility is to ensure that every aerodrome in the nation meets the technical, operational, and safety requirements prescribed in Nig.CARs Part 12, Vol. and supported by the guidance in NCAA Advisory Circular NCAA-AC-ARDO02.
“Our inspectors conducted multiple assessments and validated corrective actions as required until most of the identified gaps were Satisfactorily addressed leaving a few outstandings, thus necessitating invocation of applicable restrictions aligning the certificates issued with prevailing realities” he explained.
“We will continue to exercise the surveillance responsibilities through periodic inspections, audits, validation of reported data, and enforcement where necessary”
The numbers of the Airport with certified airdrome are now four, including Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.