…As Fire Affects Public Affair, Commercial, Audit,
The journey towards building a befitting headquarters Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA),Lagos may have started in earnest following the inferno that ravaged most of the make shift buildings the manager of 22 airports in the country has been using as offices.
The fire destroyed the Public Affairs, Commercial and Audit departments.
Speaking to aviation journalists, the Managing Director of the agency, Engr. Dunoma Saleh, said, “It is unfortunate incident. It is not good news I will tell you. Some parts of our offices were destroyed by fire. You can see for yourself the mood of the management”
He added it to the intervention of FAAN fire fighters and the Lagos state fire service to put out the inferno.
He disclosed that a panel has been set up by the agency to investigate the cause of the incident, adding that members of the investigative panel comprises of the Police, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority(NCAA), Accident Investigation Bureau(AIB), Directorate of State Security Service(DSS), Aviation Security(AVSEC), Safety , Fire and Legal Department will be the secretary ..
Dunoma said the essence of the panel is to unravel the remote and immediate cause(s) of the fire, proffer solution to whatever issues they encounter in the course of their investigation and other issues that may arise while investigating the incident.
He also said that the intention of the investigative panel is to look into the incident and to prevent future occurrence.
FAAN management, he stated had inspected the affected areas to have first hand information on the matter.
The Airport Police Command, the Managing Director said is also carrying out its own independent investigation, as it has the constitutional right to do so.
He stated that the panel has been given two weeks to submit its report, adding that actions would be taken based on the reports.
Speaking on whether the inferno will force FAAN to completely shut down its operations, the Managing Director, said by tomorrow staff would resume normal operations.
On when FAAN would get a befitting headquarter, Dunoma stated that the process was on, adding that the agency has started by looking at the different designs submitted by architects.
The process, he said is competitive, adding that the agency would look at all the designs and pick the best because of the nature of building the agency wants to have.
The FAAN boss stated that the agency would select a consultant of architect` to select the best design at the end of the day.
He appealed to road users, whose movement was, affected that by the incident, adding that FAAN regrets the inconveniences that the unforeseen incident may have caused them.
Meanwhile, the affected areas have been condoned off to prevent to prevent people from tampering with useful evidence.
Speaking to journalists, the Commissioner of Police , Airport Police Command, Mr Besan Gwana, said, “This morning about 9am, policemen on patrol observed that smoke was billowing from FAAN administration building and they quickly drew our attention to it and we informed the firemen and the authorities of FAAN. I was here when the firefighters arrived well on time; and they were able to put out the fire on time. Even though the roof of the building is burnt partially due to the efforts of the firemen otherwise the whole building would have been razed. I can’t ascertain the extent of damage for now, investigation will be conducted that will reveal the extent of damage done to the building and property within the building.
On the security of the affected area, he said, “The whole placed has been sealed up and will be sustained. We will talk to the FAAN authorities to improve on security since it has its own security outfit. I believe efforts will be re-doubled to ensure that no unauthorized person gains access into the facility. Now, one cannot contemplate any guess as to what led to the inferno. Investigation is ongoing and that will determine what caused the fire outbreak.”
Earlier an online statement signed by the Acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu , said, “There was a fire incident at the headquarters in Lagos today April 11, 2017. The incident, which affected some offices, is being investigated right now to find out the cause of the outbreak.”
She continued, “The fire department, in collaboration with the Lagos State Fire Department and other security agencies however responded swiftly by curtailing the spread of the fire, as normalcy is being restored already. The authority will like to assure travelers, airport users and the general public that the incident did not affect operations at any airport in any way as normal operations continue unhindered.”
Abelnewsng.com recalled that the Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi had on December 23, 2015, told FAAN to get appropriate and befitting headquarters for the agency in view of the huge revenue it generates.
Amaechi, who was not comfortable with what he observed shortly before embarking on tour of the facilities at the airport with his Minister of State ,Aviation, Alhaji Hadi Sirika and agency chiefs said this in one of his visits
The minister had wondered why FAAN despite its huge revenue profile could not build a befitting office for itself all these years.
He stated that safety was not negotiable and that it should not be toyed with, adding that after safety the next thing that should be discussed is appropriate office for FAAN.
According to him, “From what I have observed this in not the appropriate office that should house FAAN”
He continued, “Once we have discussed safety, the next thing should be FAAN office.
