Nation
25 Airports Risk Runway Incursions Over Security Breach
No fewer than 25 airports in the country are exposed to security breaches due mainly to substandard fencing, investigations have revealed.
At the moment, only international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt have partial perimeter fencing, while the others owned by the Federal Government are not yet properly fenced, a situation which has led to encroachments on the lands by some unwanted elements.
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) security guidelines prescribes that all airports must be secured with double perimeter fences. Its regulations mandate standard airports to have both perimeter and security fences. The ICAO annex 14 sees a perimeter fence, while annex 17 equally has provisions for a security fence.
In an effort to meet the ICAO standard, FAAN had painstakingly applied safety measures in line with international best practice to boost security and safety within the nation’s airports.
Investigations show that there is an urgent need for the FAAN to fortify the already existing perimeter fencing as required by the ICAO to avert more security breaches in the future.
On May 19, 2022, the mangled body of an unknown person was found on Runway 18R/36L of the International wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
The human remains were suddenly found on Runway 18R during a routine runway inspection by FAAN personnel.
Earlier, in March 2022, gunmen suspected to be bandits attacked Kaduna Airport, killing the guard at the Voice Omni Directional Radio (VOR) site, a Navigational Aids equipment belonging to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA).
The sudden attack, which took place at midday, affected the smooth take-off of flights as most of the airport workers were running helter-skelter for safety.
Also in March, 2021, the airport’s staff quarters, close to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), were invaded.
Investigations have shown that most of the existing fences of airports in the country are poorly manned and could be easily breached by unwanted guests.
It was also gathered that the poorly built fences, coupled with underutilisation of airport premises, especially those closer to the fences, had given room for thick bushes to grow, covering up the fences in some instances and allowing hoodlums to take cover, a situation inside sources have described as dangerous.
Findings also revealed that although Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt Airports boast of the best fencing infrastructure in the country, they still fall short of the ICAO standard.
To meet the ICAO recommended practices, industry observers said there was a need for adequate provision of huge funds to construct perimeter and operational fences across all the over 25 airports operated by FAAN. The funds are expected to take care of the several hundreds of kilometres of landmass across the airports in the country.
The ICAO security guidelines instructs that all airports must be secured with double perimeter fences. To meet this specification, nets, barbed wire, cameras, sensors, infrareds, intrusion detection devices are required, all of which would cost close to N1 trillion to fix.
Nation
ICT Centre Set To Be Establish In Omoku
An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre is set to be established in Omoku, Ogba/Egbema /Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The initiative is being championed by the Omoku People’s Forum, a global association of Omoku elites, under the leadership of its President-General, Dr. George Ada Ubah.
As part of efforts to ensure the successful execution of the project, a prominent son of Omoku, Chief (Barr.) Dennis Masi, has been appointed by the Forum as the Chairman of the ICT Centre Project Committee, entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating and driving the initiative to fruition. Upon completion, the ICT Centre is expected to serve as a major hub for the training and empowerment of youths in digital and technological skills, equipping them to actively participate in the increasingly technology-driven global environment.
The project is also widely regarded as a significant step towards positioning Omoku as an emerging ICT hub within Rivers State, fostering innovation, digital literacy, and economic development in the region.
Nation
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development Denies Political Affiliations
Concerned Rivers Chiefs For Peace And Development has said it formation was not politically motivated or has any links to political parties or candidates.
The group which said this at a media briefing at Abuloma in Port Harcourt City Local Government Area said it’s formation has nothing to do with politics.
According to the text for the briefing jointly signed by Chief Boma Kele Oyika it’s chairman and Chief Inemo T Ikama Deputy Secretary General said the organization is expected to focus on conflict Resolution, community engagement, collaboration with government and private sector actors
‘it mandate also includes promoting peace building initiative, supporting local economic empowerment programms and strengthening traditional institutions in our state and beyond as partners in governance ”
It said the body is led by a team of respected traditional leaders serving as trustees
“Their collective leadership reflects a blend of experience cultural authority and grassroots connection
“Key elements considered vital for addressing long standing,socio economic and security challenges in the region”
The release further says ” the formation of this organization comes at a time when communities in Rivers state continue to navigate between issues ranging from youth unemployment, environmental concerns and intermittent conflicts amongst the traditional rulers and beyond
“By bringing together influential traditional figures under a unified platform, the group aims at serving as stabilizing force while advocating for inclusive development policies ” it said
It also described its emergence as a new chapter in grass roots leadership and regional development
Earlier, chairman of the body, Chief Boma Kele Oyika said the organization will work with relevant authorities to promote peaceful coexistence in the state, reduce crime and promote economic development.
He said it is open to all Chiefs from the 23 local government areas.
Nation
NDCCTMA, NDDC MDS Challenge Niger Delta Indigenes on Investment in The Region
The Chairman of The Nigeria Delta Chamber of Commerce, Trade, Mines and Agriculture NDCCTMA,Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan and the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission ( NDDC ) Dr Samuel Ogbuku have challenged Niger Delta entrepreneurs to close the gap in Gross Demostic Products (GDP) differences between the region and that of the South Western part of the country by coming home to invest.
The two leaders spoke at a business round table organized by NDDCTMA in Port Harcourt
Chairman of NDDCTMA Ambassador Idaere Gogo Ogan, said to close the gap between the south west region which he said has a GDP seize of about #59 trillion and that of the Niger Delta which is about #34 trillion was to massively invest in the region.
He said no other persons can do this except sons and daughters from the region.
“For me I believe in statistics,I believe in data and everyday I looked at the data concerning development in Nigeria and from the GDP point of view, the South West has #59 trillion, that is the seize of the south west region economy, the second region following them is the Niger Delta region with GDP seize of #34 trillion,so there is a yearning gap of #25 trillion that separates the south west and the Niger Delta region, that is why we are here”
Ogan said the region has the capacity to close the gap and even surpassed it but regretted that indigenes of the region have chosen to ignore it in terms of investment.
“We need to close that gap .If we close that gap and even surpassed it,all the negative problems of militancy and unemployment will automatically erase “he said
Ogan said the event was organized to remind the people that past efforts of militancy and agitations have not led the region to any where
“That is why we are gathered here in this room “he said.
Also speaking Managing Director/Chief Executive officer of the Niger Delta Development Commission( NDDC) Dr Samuel Ogbuku urged indigenes of the region not to use the problem of insecurity as an excuse to continue to deny the region of investment as every part of the country have in one time or the other experienced crisis.
Ogbuku said most indigenes have displayed high level of unpatriotism towards the region by taking investments that would have benefited the people to either Lagos or Abuja.
“With little threat we have left the city,we have gone to Lagos,we have moved our families to Abuja and Lagos
“If you go round GRA all the property, you will see,”to let to let”most of them are now empty “he said.
The NDDC MD said despite the fact that people from the region are doing well in the oil and gas, banking and other sectors, its impact are not being felt at home because they are stationed outside the region.
He said time has come for potential investors from the region to have a change of heart by coming home to invest.
John Bibor
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