ABUJA—Aviation stakeholders and operators have commended the efforts of the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, for guiding the agency through the International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO, Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, USOAP.

As a seasoned aviator that supervised the remodelling programme of the nation’s airports, Dunoma took the challenge of closing the gaps earlier identified by ICAO with a deadline very close to the audit date.

But before the audit team arrived, the FAAN was able to meet the expectation of the world aviation body.

Reacting to the pass mark given to FAAN and the industry, the President of Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association, ATSSSAN, Benjamin Okewu, said the agency merited the approval given it by ICAO.

Okewu noted that initially, there were open items, but that a lot of work was done by FAAN, which addressed all the problems.

”I feel we merited the high score. During the last time, there were open items but a lot of those issues were addressed. The issue of training is gradual, so ICAO understands that this would happen over time and that it is ongoing.”

Also speaking in the same vein, the industry consultant and the CEO of Belujane Konsult, Chris Aligbe, said although the infrastructure status of the airports in the country might not attract a high rating, so much work had gone into safety and security.