A two-man delegation from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) regional office in Dakar arrived in Nigeria for an inspection of airport facilities in the country.

The inspection team from ICAO’s Tactical Action Group (TAG) would inspect facilities at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport and the Aminu Kano International Airport. On arrival in Nigeria, the ICAO officials– Mr Sadon Marafa and Ms Tijan Grobotek– met with stakeholders in the country’s aviation sector.

Present at the meeting were Dr Harold Demuren, Director-General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA); Alhaji Ibrahim Auyo, Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA); and Mr George Orise, director, Airports Operations, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria.

It was learnt that the group would review safety concerns expressed by the aeronautical community and propose corrective action plan that would be agreed upon by the two parties. Among the facilities to be inspected during the four-day visit are runway lightings, markings and sign age systems, pavement, taxiway lighting, apron lighting and markings, and apron management.

It was further gathered that the group would also look into the precision approach lighting system, rescue and fire-fighting, bird hazards control and perimeter security of the airports. The ICAO team would also review the provision of air traffic management and air traffic communications services by NAMA. Receiving the team, Demuren described the visit as “a mock audit” for the nation’s preparedness for the main ICAO audit coming up later this year.

He said that the NCAA has concluded plan for major seminar on the challenges being faced by airline operators on bird strike. According to him, the proposed seminar would be held in collaboration with the US Federal Aviation Administration and the NCAA.