The Senate has called for the construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, to enhance safety and improve risk management in the aviation sector.
This followed a motion sponsored by Senator Buhari Abdulfatai on the need to strengthen aviation safety, following the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) report on the Air Peace runway overrun incident at the Port Harcourt International Airport.
Presenting the.motion before the Senate plenary this Wednesday, Senator Buhari notes that while no life was lost, the incident exposed critical gaps in safety standards, infrastructure management, and operational compliance within Nigeria’s aviation sector;
He expressed concern that Nigeria has in recent years witnessed an increasing runway-related incidents, near-misses, and operational safety challenges that, if not urgently addressed, could undermine public confidence in the aviation industry and endanger lives;
The Senate finally urged the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in collaboration with the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to urgently implement the safety recommendations contained in the NSIB report;
Many senators who contributed on the motion suggested that a second run way should be the only way out to improve safety standard in the aviation industry in Nigeria.
Also urged the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to strengthen compliance monitoring, conduct routine audits of airport facilities, and enforce strict adherence to international safety standards by operators;
The senate mandated the Committee on Aviation to engage with all relevant stakeholders, including the NSIB, NCAA, FAAN, NAMA and airline operators, with a view to ensuring the full implementation of safety recommendations and to report back to the Senate within six weeks.
Bashir M
