Setting agenda for the new FAAN MD

The recent shake-up in the aviation industry calls for deeper thought from those that are presently occupying the vacated positions in the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

The reason is that, the aviation industry in recent times had not gone through an experience where all the helmsmen across the agencies of aviation, with the exception of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), had to go and lucky ones redeployed to different agencies altogether.

This type of overhaul was not really expected but key industry observers believed that, the resignation of the erstwhile Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah may have paved way for the disengagement of some of these Chief Executives.

Now that the dust have settled and proper hand-over duly conducted, expectations are that, the newly appointed Chief Executives in the aviation parastatals may have settled down for business to avoid the hammer that came on their predecessors.  The good news is that, all the new Chief Executives grew from the system.

Of all the appointments, the one that interest me most is that of Engr. SalehDunoma, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), why because, the incumbent FAAN strongman has held at various time, management positions, before his present appointment as the number one officer in the authority.

Briefly, let us look at the credentials of the man called Dunoma; Engr. Dunoma holds a B.Sc (Hons) degree in Building Engineering from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.  He joined the Civil Engineering Department of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria formerly of the Nigeria Airport Authority in 1980.

Engr. Dumona served at different sensitive positions at various times.  For example, we acted as the Airport Manager of Kaduna and Kano airports before he was made the substantive Airport Manager, NnamdiAzikiwe International Airport, Abuja a position he held before he was reassigned in 2005 to the newly created Directorate of Aviation Security and Safety as the General Manager (Technology and Capacity Building). Again in 2009, he was equally appointed the Director of Engineering Services, a position he held for three years before becoming the Director of Projects until his present appointment as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

With this type of intimidating credentials and wealth of knowledge garnered over the years, one maybe quick to say that, the transformational agenda of the Federal Government, which is very pronounced in the aviation sub-sector, which FAAN is the Landlord would certainly receive a boost under the present Management.

The choice of Saleh as the Managing Director/CEO of FAAN by the Federal Government may have come at the right time, for the simple reason that the man on the saddle has passed through the gamut of airport practices.

The change of baton in all intent is a normal thing and what it means is that, there should be no dull moment in FAAN from what we used to know. I am aware that FAAN in the last couple of years, under Mr. George Uriesi made sure that workers’ salaries were paid on every 25th day of the month, there was industrial harmony between FAAN and the management, payment of pension and gratuities were also addressed adequately and timely too, training and retraining also extended to all categories of FAAN staff and this can be confirmed, given the spate of development criss-crossing in the industry.

With the appointment of Engr. SalehDumona, for FAAN workers, a “Daniel” has come to judgement, meaning that as the former Director of Project, who supervised all FAAN projects, that the Managing Director would be graceful enough to see that all FAAN’s projects are pursued to completion.

What we need do now is continuity in every facet of the aviation industry to drive home the much needed investments as well to main the already put in place infrastructures by the outgone administration.  The Dumona led administration should ensure that the new 4.85MVA, a secondary power source, capable of carrying all airport loads at MMA and that of four units of 1.5KVA capacity generating sets with a 1.25KVA as back-up, installed at NNamdiAzikiwe International Airport are working optimally, even as we expect that the extended departure and arrival halls, new in-bound baggage reclaim carrousels and the on-going construction work on “Fingers”, including transit facilities are adequately maintained for the comfort of the flying publics. Effort should also be made to expand the aprons, to forestall congestion at the ramp, to allow more airplanes to be parked same time since Lagos is being positioned as a hub in West Africa.

Since the history of aviation in Nigeria, the advances made in recent years are unprecedented. Yes, it is not yet Eldorado in the aviation industry .The future appears bright. That is why it is important to set agenda for one of our own, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, so that he can achieve great strides.

Cosmas Okereafor