PH Int’l Airport Gets Wind Alert Device’ Soon

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) says a low level wind shear alert system will be installed at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa nd the Amino Kano International Airport before the end of the year.

The Director-General of NIMET, Dr. Anthony Anuforom stated this while explaining to newsmen why the wind alert device was installed at Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja.

He said the installation of the device was a significant move towards improving safety and rebuilding public confidence on the aviation industry.

He said apart from improving air safety, the wind alert device would also complement the six Doppler weather radars for real time detection and tracking of hazardous weather.

“MMIA is the largest and busiest airport in Nigeria. On the average, about 240 aircrafts land and take off from this airport each day, with a total of 17,000 passengers per day.

“The successful installation of the LLWAS at this airport, therefore represents a significant landmark, especially as this is the first time the airport is being equipped with this system. The development has further enhanced the level of safety at this airport”, he said.

He added that “the aerial surveys for the Port Harcourt International Airport and Amino Kano International Airport have been completed and the installations of the sensors are at an advanced stage of completion at Port Harcourt.

The NIMET boss also mentioned that the alert system had been installed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja, stressing that the setting up of the agency’s radar was on course as civil and mechanical installations had been completed at the airport while the Port Harcourt Airport was still on-going.

“You will recall that the aviation industry in Nigeria witnessed its darkest period in its history between 2003 and 2006 when several aircraft accidents and incidents occured resulting in loss of lives and series of injuries. Reports on the unfortunate accidents suggest that wind shear is a contributing factor in some of these accidents”, he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah-Ogiemweyi has told foreign airlines to desist from discriminatory practices against Nigerians.

The minister who was speaking at an interactive session with the representatives of airlines operating in the country lamented that the Aviation industry was riddled with “unfair and deceptive practices that violet Nigerian and international laws”.

The Director-General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Harold Demuren also accused some airlines of blocking seats on cheaper fares and forcing Nigerians to buy more tickets.

Reward Akwu