BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, has assured stakeholders and the public that all federal government-owned airports under its management are fully insured, with policies up to date.
Her clarification sought to allay the fears raised by the Chief Executive Officer of Overland Airways, Captain Edward Boyo, who alleged that FAAN’s failure to insure airports across the country was causing scathing financial losses for airlines.
He on Tuesday at the 5th CHINET Aviacargo Conference in Lagos with the theme, “The Emerging Synergy Between Aviation and Insurance Industry,” where he urged the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) to work towards ensuring that all airports in Nigeria are properly insured, as the dilapidated condition of many airports has caused huge damage to aircraft and airlines are left to bear the losses.
While debunking Boyo’s position, Mrs Kuku emphasised that there is no lapse in insurance coverage, stressing that safety and operational compliance remain top priorities for the agency.
“All FGN airports managed by FAAN are insured with the insurance up to date,” the MD/CE stated.
The Authority also reaffirmed that essential maintenance practices, such as derubberisation of runways and runway hygiene, are being carried out consistently, with records available to verify compliance.
These processes are crucial for maintaining friction levels on runways and ensuring aircraft can land and take off safely.
On the persistent challenge of bird and wildlife strikes, the FAAN boss acknowledged that habitation and community activities around airport environments have contributed to the problem.
However, the agency noted that it is working closely with relevant stakeholders to control and reduce such risks through habitat management and enhanced surveillance.
The FAAN boss also addressed concerns about historical structural issues on some runways, particularly those that have exceeded their lifespan.
She confirmed that comprehensive overhauls and phased maintenance are ongoing to correct these deficiencies, improve infrastructure, and extend the life span of the runways.
Industry observers note that Nigeria’s aviation sector has faced increased scrutiny in recent years, with calls for stronger safety enforcement and better infrastructure management.
