The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has recertified Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja and Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA), Lagos
Aerodrome certification is an indication that an airport or aerodrome has met a reasonable and tolerable level of safety and security standards regulatory requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Presenting the certificates of the two international airports to the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku at the NCAA’s Corporate Headquarters, Abuja on Friday, the Acting Director General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Captain Chris Najomo said the event marked an important milestone in the journey towards achieving excellence in aviation safety and security.
“….Today’s ceremony – the renewal of the aerodrome certificates – mark an important milestone in our journey towards achieving excellence in aviation safety and security.,” he said.
The DGCA however reiterated that the presentation of the certificates is not an indication that the airports are 100 percent compliant with safety standards, but a testament of their compliance with the minimum certification and operating requirements based on risk assessment and presentation of an acceptable Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for continuous implementation by the aerodrome operator. He therefore assured that the regulatory body and the airport operators will not rest on their oars but keep the good work going.
The observed non compliances have resulted into applicable restrictions and exemptions to reflect the true status of the aerodromes.
said the : “I must reiterate that the presentation of these certificates is not an indication that the airports are 100 percent compliant with safety standards but it is a testament of their compliance with the minimum certification and operating requirements based on risk assessment and presentation of an acceptable Corrective Action Plan (CAP) for continuous implementation by the aerodrome operator.
Noting that the observed non compliances have resulted into applicable restrictions and exemptions to reflect the true status of the aerodromes , Najomo said, “the implementation of these CAPs will be monitored by our Safety inspectors through postcertification surveillance activities. Therefore, we are not to rest on our Oars, but rather, leave our sleeves up and keep working.”
Najomo who went down the memory to give a proper perspective of what brought about the event said, “in March 2001, the ICAO Council adopted a new Standard that required certification of aerodromes used for international operations. This Standard became applicable 27“ November of 2003. Nigeria initially complied with this provision by certifying two international airports in 2017. The 3-year duration of those certificates lapsed in November 2020 in line with the Nigeria Civil Aviation Regulations in force then.
He continued, “At the expiration of NAIA & MMIA aerodrome certificates, a six (6)month extension was granted to FAAN to operate the aerodromes due to the COVID-19 Pandemic which we all remember had devastating effects on the aviation sector. However, the extension was granted on the condition that FAAN resolve all outstanding certification CAP items and complete the re-certification process within the extension period. To be detailed, there were 136 items for MMIA and 29 items for NAIA, so this was no mean feat.
“Since then, NCAA and FAAN got down to the hard work of ensuring closure of the critical certification findings as required by the Regulations.”
Commending the efforts of FAAN management led by Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, on the remarkable achievement, Najomo appealled for continuous maintenance of high safety standards that prioritise the safety and comfort of passengers, airport users, staff and the public, saying, “when aligned with by the Airport operator, will further ensure that subsequent certification renewal processes are seamless in keeping with his mantra of ease-of-doing-business without compromise of standards.
The DGCA who reiterated the commitment of NCAA to ensuring that thevairports meet the highest safety and security standards, insisted that the regulatory body will continue to work closely with the airport operators to ensure consistent compliance with international best practices.
Meanwhile, the DGCA has assured that the weekend event marked the first phase of the CAA’s action plan for the certification of the aerodromes.
“In the second phase,” Najomo said NCAA hopes to implement the plan by certifying the remaining airports in line with the regulations and international protocols.
