Stories by Matthew Denis
Following threat to demolish masts illegally installed across the country, the Aviation regulatory agency, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on Friday stormed Ilorin International Airport to inspect a newly installed mast at Odota area of Ilorin, Kwara State.
The installation belongs to telecommunication giant, Airtel and it is sited few metres away from the perimeter fence ofย the airport.
The NCAA inspection team inspected the site and have gone ahead to write a report pending next line of action, Pilot Aviation has learnt.
Recall that the regulatory agency had threatened to commence demolition of 8,805 telecommunication masts belonging to Globacom Nigeria Limited, banks and other financial institutions who failed to meet up aviation tower height clearance to erect any high structure within the navigable airspace in Nigeria.
When our Aviation Correspondent visited the site of the already installed mast on Friday, one of the engineers, who simply identified himself as Lucky said that they got all necessary approval from relevant authorities before commencement of work.
“We got necessary approval from NCAA, Kwara State Town Planning and Development Authority, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Ilorin West Local Government Area, Kwara State Government, amongย others before erecting the mast,” he explained.
However, speaking in telephone chat with this medium on Saturday,ย the General Manager, Public Relations of NCAA on Saturday, Mr. Sam Adurogboye confirmed the inspection of the Airtel mast site by a team from the agency.
” I will get the details of the inspection by our staff and get back to you. What I know is that whenever there is an inspection, report will be filed for the next line of action.
“Basically before any organisation erect a mast around the airport,ย NCAA will be informed for inspection and approval. So, in this case I’ll find out and give you a feedback,” he added.
His response was still beingย awaited until this paper went to bed last night.
…warns pilots of thunderstorm, bad weather
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) yesterday warned pilots and airline operators to be wary of bad weather and attendant thunderstorms.
The weather alert, issued to all was in lieu of the outset of the rainy season and the need to exercise “extreme caution during flight operations”.
The rainy season, which is torrential, is prevalent in the Southern and Northern parts of Nigeria. It is usually accompanied by severe thunderstorms, which could impact the safety of flight operations.
There are many other hazardous weather occurrences such as severe turbulence, microburst or low level wind-shear and occasionally hail events are bound to affect air navigation.
The apex regulatory authority, therefore, directed all pilots to recourse to utmost restraint whenever adverse weather is observed or forecast by Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET).
General Manager, Public Relations of the NCAA, Sam Adurogboye, said pilots and flight crews shall mandatorily obtain adequate, en route and destination weather information and briefing from NIMET Aerodrome Meteorological offices before flight operations.
“In the same vein, Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) and Flight Crews/Operators shall ensure total compliance with all aerodromes operating minima.
“It is quite important for all intending air travellers and airline operators to note that in line with Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) may temporarily close airspace during inclement weather conditions.
“These are adverse weather conditions such as severe thunderstorms, squall lines microburst or low level wind-shear as observed or forecast by NIMET,” he said.
Recall that a similar weather alert was issued by the authority in March at the advent of the rainy season. It was circulated to the entire industry stating ahead of time what to expect and recommended precautionary measures.
The NCAA expects strict adherence to this directive to ensure the safety of air transportation in Nigeria.
