Air Emergencies: Stakeholders seek public collaboration for effective management
Arising from the concerns about air safety and unforeseen emergency situations that pose serious threat, the management of Murtala Muhammed Airport has enjoined stakeholders from allied agencies and traditional rulers to collaborate on effective management of air incidents and accidents.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ forum held today in Lagos, the Airport Regional Manager (South-West), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Victoria Shin-aba, said nobody prays for air incidents to happen, but that the aviation industry cannot rule them out.
Hence, according to her, there was need for effective preparation with regards to management of air emergency situations as they happen unexpectedly.
She said all airport authorities have been mandated by the International Air Transport Association to initiate effective emergency management plans in this regard.
The mandate, according to her, prompted the public awareness and sensitisation of stakeholders to, first, harmonise ideas and educate the public, especially those who arrive at the scene before other trained responders.
During his presentation, the Principal Fire Officer, Murtala Muhammed Airport Fire Service, Mr Uche Egumba, said the objective of the Airport Emergency Plan is to anticipate the effects of the emergency on the environment, as they cannot be avoided.
According to him, there were several factors that cause air incidents and accidents – human factors, human/machine interface, technical factors, among others.
As such, there was need for regular evaluation of stakeholders’ preparedness by identifying procedural and acoordinationl deficiencies with a view to validate them in line with recommended standard practices.
Egumba noted that the traditional rulers and other stakeholders have roles to play in their various capacities.
Among other things, the traditional rulers were charged with the responsibility of advising their subjects to stop erecting tall structures around the airports.
He added that feedback would be required from all stakeholders and the general public, which would inform the necessary steps to take in managing emergency situations as they arise.
