The House of Representatives has directed the Ministry of Aviation to conduct an audit of technical systems and projects to thoroughly review the current state of RADAR systems, radio communications, the Safe Tower project, and the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) Automation project in the nation’s airports.
The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a motion moved on Tuesday by Hon. Jesse Onuakalusi.
Moving the motion, the lawmaker sai the efficient functioning of Nigerian airports are crucial for national security, safety, and economic development.
Onuakalusi added that recent incidents have raised concerns about the competence and accountability of personnel and contractors working at airports.
He said the potential risks to safety, security, and efficiency posed by the appointment of incompetent officers to sensitive positions and the employment of political appointees who might lack the necessary knowledge and competence to manage critical airport functions.
Onuakalusi expressed worry about the abysmal state of our RADAR systems, which present a disaster waiting to happen as RADAR labels often fail at critical times, risking mid-air collisions.
He expressed concern about the state of communication radios, with previous attempts to resolve these challenges yielding no positive improvements, leading pilots and controllers to rely on relays from others for necessary instructions, risking national embarrassment;
He noted that the stalled Safe Tower project, despite significant investment, needs urgent attention to improve the efficiency of our towers.
The lawmaker also expressed concern that the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) Automation project has been ongoing for over 15 years without completion, which could solve communication challenges in the Airspace when completed.
He said recent reports and observations indicating potential irregularities in the employment and appointment of personnel and contractors at major Nigerian airports, specifically in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kano, and Enugu.
Onuakalusi was of the opinion that the recruitment into technical areas must be regulated to prevent the manifestation of incompetence due to skewed recruitment processes.
He said moreover, appropriate sanctions for erring offenders related to Airspace management should be enforced.
Onuakalusi stressed that Nigerian airports play a critical role in the nation’s transportation infrastructure and overall economic development, and recognising the importance of ensuring that all personnel and contractors working at these airports are qualified and competent.
He also acknowledged that political appointees play a role in personnel management, but maintained that political influence should not compromise competence.
The House resolved: “Ministry of Aviation and relevant agencies shall conduct a comprehensive audit of airport personnel. The audit shall include an assessment of required skills, qualifications, and adherence to professional standards. The report shall be presented to the House Committee on Aviation within 14 days.
“Mandate an audit of all Contractors engaged in specialized areas at Nigerian airports in the last one year, assessing their knowledge, competency, and ability to perform their duties effectively and ensure contractors who have been engaged in the last one year to present their company profiles, detailing their expertise and previous work experience. The report shall be submitted to the House Committee on Aviation within 14 days
“Mandate the Ministry of Aviation to conduct an Audit of Technical systems and projects to thoroughly review of the current state of RADAR systems, radio communications, the Safe Tower project, and the Aeronautical Information Service (AIS) Automation project. The findings and recommendations for improvements shall be submitted to the House Committee on Aviation within 14 days.
“Mandate Minister of Aviation, along with the heads of relevant agencies and departments, to appear before the House Committee on Aviation within the next seven days to address these concerns.”