NCAA suspends flights to airstrips in Bauchi, C’River

[TGD]

 UNTIL safety standards are met, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has put on hold flights to Bebi and Bauchi airstrips, both in Cross River and Bauchi states.

In the case of Bebi Airstrip, located near Obudu, Cross River State, The Guardian learnt that it was closed to flights a few weeks ago after its inspection by NCAA's team led by its Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren.

It was also learnt that the team met with the officials of the Cross River State government before the decision was formally communicated to the state government.

The Bauchi Airstrip was shut following a near mishap involving a chartered aircraft carrying leaders of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The aircraft landed on some wandering animals on the runway during the run-up to the last April presidential election in the country.

The decision to close the airstrip had been communicated to the Bauchi State government via a letter written by Demuren.

Meanwhile, NCAA spokesman, Mr. Sam Adurogboye, has said the critical areas, which must be addressed before the Bebi Airstrip is re-opened, are the installation of Instrument Landing System - ILS (Localiser Glide Slope) with Very High Omnidirectional Radio Range (VOR/DME); the new World Geodetic System popularly called WGS 84.WGS-84 Survey of the facility to identify and map out all obstructions; and acquisition of additional fire-fighting vehicles.

Others are mending of broken portion of perimeter fence; replacement of burnt and broken airfield lighting bulbs, provision of serviceable water tank, Control Tower communication equipment, and the resurfacing of the total length of the runway.

For the Bauchi Airstrip, safety conditions to be met are the completion of the perimeter fence of the entire field; repair of pot-holes, depression and cracks on some portions of the runway and taxiway; removal of buildings on the Runway15 extended centre-lines that constitute danger to safe flight operations; re-touching of runway and taxiway markings as one of the visual aids.

There are also the clearing of overgrown grasses along the strips of the runway and the entire airstrip; removal of all trees and buildings obstructing Control Tower view of the two runway ends; and provision of two wind socks as visual aids.

Adurogboye also listed the provision of patrol vehicles to enhance security patrol of the airstrip and other services; raising the height of the Control Tower's building to command a panoramic view of the airfield; and re-construction of the fire station and provision of personnel as requiring attention.

NCAA promised to deploy safety inspectors to offer guidance during the execution of the projects.



The Guardian