By Emmanuel Nduka
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has acquired some birds/wildlife equipment to improve on the safety of flight operations by effectively managing birds/wildlife hazards across the nation’s airports.
This was revealed by the Managing Director of FAAN, Rabiu Yadudu at the inauguration of the equipment on Monday in Lagos.
According to Yadudu, the equipment which was the best they could get around, was procured on the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
Yadudu who was represented by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Sadiku Rafindadi, listed equipment acquired to include bird scaring gas canons, 15,000 rounds of 12G (heavy calibre bird scaring pyrotechnics), Hi-tech bird laser among others.
He added that the equipment, when deployed would usher in an era of safe flight operations, as incidents relating to birds strike which have increased of late would be mitigated.
In his remarks, the FAAN Director of Airport Operations, Muktar Muye, expressed delight at the arrival of the equipment.
Mr Muye noted that what was being commissioned was not just the equipment, but a complete package that included the recommended storage facility, patrol vehicle and trained personnel in line with ICAO/s Standards and Recommended Practices.
Some of the hi-tech equipment commissioned included three different models of bird scaring gas canons, Day boxes for carrying pyrotechnics during operations for safety, 15,000 rounds of 12G (heavy calibre bird scaring pyrotechnics)
Others are the “Hi-tech bird laser, Personal Protective Equipment for staff dealing with wildlife, Purpose built TYPE IV explosive storage magazine, Brand new Hilux jeep for Runway wildlife patrol, amongst others,” he said.
The event climaxed with a practical demonstration of the use of some of the equipment by the representative of the MD/CEO and the Director of Airport Operations.
