Angry Reactions Trail Vandalism, Theft of Lagos Airport Runway Light
Stakeholders in the nation’s aviation sector have described the vandalisation and theft of the recently reinstalled airfield lighting systems at the domestic runway 18/36L of Murtala Muhammad Airport, Lagos, as an act of terrorism.
LEADERSHIP reports that on July 8 2022, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), shut down runways 18L and 36R at MMA in Lagos to install an airfield ground lighting system. The authority, however, re-opened the runway on 11th November 2022.
However, the disappearance of the approach lighting systems had raised security and safety concerns as stakeholders said, the regular incursion and stealing of safety components at the airports are carried out by a syndicate.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the director of research, Zenith Travel Consult, Olumide Ohunayo, said FAAN needs to review and overhaul the aviation security network.
He further stressed that, removing critical aviation safety equipment should not be treated with kid gloves but as an act of terrorism.
“This is an act of terrorism. I am not seeing it as just robbery because it is an act of terrorism to remove critical safety equipment for aircraft landing in an airport as cosmopolitan as Lagos. That’s horrible and FAAN needs to look at the aviation security network. The use of security cameras among others should be introduced.
“This is a big embarrassment for Nigeria as a country and they can’t use those lights on other things other than a runway, invariably, they have an insider who brings back the light for FAAN to buy. They must go after the cartel selling it.”
He also stated that the act has impacted negatively on the reputation of the country in the global aviation sector.
“This is a big damage to the reputation of Nigeria. The management of the runway lightning needs to be looked at. The contract and management is currently under FAAN. This period should be used to look into that but as far as the security of the airport, FAAN must take responsibility for what happened,” he stated.
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