Three agencies in the aviation industry are to collaborate to ensure the removal of illegal masts around the Akanu Ibiam international Enugu to prevent threats to flight safety.
The agencies are the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA.
Spokesman, NCAA, Mr. Sam Adurogboye in a chat with newsmen in Lagos said the erection of radio and television masts close to the end of runway 08 of the Enugu airport was a cause for concern.
He said such erections without permission from the NCAA was a violation with a fine, assuring that the matter would be handled as a matter of urgency to prevent any disaster.
“Anyone Erecting any structure must first seek permission from the NCAA, the authority frowns at any impediment to flight safety in the country and so, we will swing into action to ensure that these said masts are removed in collaboration with NAMA and FAAN”.
“Is a violation anyway, it attracts penalty, it going to involve tripartite action, we summon NAMA, FAAN will be involve, if it is something that maybe if the runway met the mast or approval had initially been given then there will still be a tripartite action, discuss or dialogue with the company”
Investigation revealed that the runway 08 has been closed to flight approach while runway 26 used for both take off and landing unfortunately has no functional approach lights.
The runway of the airport was extended 2013 to accommodate wide-bodied aircraft when it was designated as an international airport.
Spokesperson for FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu said several letters have been written and meeting held with the concerned authorities and the government to dismantle the masts as well relocate the market close to runway 26.
“FAAN with working with the state government, we have written them and in fact the airport manager has visited the government and has told them that they need to relocate that masts, very shortly the masts will be removed”.
Investigation revealed that several attempts by FAAN to build a perimeter fence as well as install category II approach light fittings at the runway 08 had been unsuccessful due to lack of cooperation from the community.
