As the rains increase in intensity, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has commenced intensive re-assessment of runways at the nation’s airports.
Spokeswoman for FAAN, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, said in a statement that the move is aimed at improving on the efficiency of the facilities to forestall potential accidents on the runways.
With recent skidding off of an aircraft on the runway of the Port Harcourt International Airport, Yakubu said FAAN carried out a de- rubberisation exercise between June 15 and 22 to remove any contaminant.
She said the step “is a short term measure to increase the safety of the airport.”
“Although, the regular friction measurement for Port Harcourt International Airport was conducted in March 2019 and the result falls within the minimum friction coefficient level, the facility witnessed a skidding incident recently.
“It is therefore with the intention to increase the friction coefficient levels of our runways in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) advisory circular that the Authority is embarking on this exercise across the nation’s airports as the rain is becoming very heavy and unpredictable,” she said.
