FAAN Risk ₦20b Loss Following Plans To Demolish Hangers

The plan by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to destroy Accident Investigation Bureau-Nigeria (AIB-N) investments would see the Nigerian aviation industry lose the sum of ₦20 billion.

It was reported that the demolition plan will affect Caverton Helicopters, Dominion, Evergreen Apple Nigeria, ExecuJet hangars, among others.

The development is coming two weeks after FAAN ordered AIB-N and other companies at the Murtala Muhammed Airport to relocate.

The demolition will also see some office complexes of the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the towing companies close to the AIB-N regional headquarters affected.

FAAN while confirming the relocation order noted that a timeframe was not given to the affected agencies for their eviction.

According to the agency, the affected companies will not be paid any form of compensation, rather they will be provided with another land to build their offices.

For instance, the regional headquarters of AIB-N, which used to be its headquarters until mid-2020 when Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation, compelled the bureau and other sister agencies to relocate their headquarters to Abuja, houses its office complex, command & control centre, office of investigators and Information Communication Technology (ICT) department.

Others are training centre, mini flight safety laboratory, which is used for downloading flight recorders otherwise known as black boxes and investigators’ stores, among others.

Apart from the cost of the land, Daily Independent gathered that AIB-N’s facilities alone at the Lagos office is worth over N5 billion.

Most of the facilities at the AIB-N’s office in Lagos were installed less than four years ago by the current management led by Engr. Akin Olateru, the Commissioner, AIB-N. Besides, the unverified report claimed that FAAN may have planned to hand over the AIB office in Lagos to another private firm that may be affected by the demolition of the order.

Also, Caverton Helicopters, Evergreen Apple Nigeria, Dominion and ExecuJet hangars, which were affected by the two weeks ultimatum, have total investments worth over N15 billion in the construction of offices, installation of facilities and acquisition of state-of-the-art equipment for their services.

This ultimatum has caused palpable fear among the organisations and workers of the affected agencies and companies and there are indications that the companies may challenge their impending eviction in court.

The reason for the evacuation and subsequent demolition of the offices within the airport, may not be unconnected with the ongoing construction of the Chinese terminal.