Regulatory agencies in the aviation industry – Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) – have certified Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport in Ogun State for commercial operations.
The agencies gave the approval for commercial operations when they visited the airport located along the Ilisan-Iperu axis of Ogun State on Tuesday, December 10, and commended the quality of facilities put in place as well as its level of completion. They unanimously adjudged the airport as world-standard and a source of pride for Ogun State.
According to the agencies, the critical infrastructure at the airport, which includes the Control Tower, Weather Monitoring Areas, Runway, Fire Service Stations, and the Apron, can rival any of its type around the world and remain one of the best in the West African corridor.
Speaking during the visit, NCAA Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Engr. Godwin Gyang Balang, represented by Ango Mohammed, noted a significant improvement in the state of the facilities at the airport since his last visit, which is now at the level of any other towers in every standard airport around the world.
The DAAS said the quality of work carried out at the airport by the Ogun State Government should elicit accolades from all, even as he expressed the delight of the NCAA over the project.
Also speaking, the Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk, represented by Mr Tayo John, noted that the purpose of the agencies visit to the airport was to inspect the facilities on-site and ascertain whether they are in strict compliance with the requirements for the provision of air traffic services and safety.
Commenting on the readiness for use of the airport, the Senior Project Manager of Craneburg, the construction company handling the project, Nicolas Mfarrej, said it is about 98 per cent ready to take off fully and begin to serve the interests of the state.
Explaining the reason for use of state of the arts equipment at airport, the Consultant on Regulatory Matters to the Ogun State government, Engr. Oluwole Adeyileka said the key players in the regulation and monitoring of facilities for full airport operations had come to assess the level of readiness of the state, adding that it was noteworthy that they had been impressed by what the state had put in place at the airport.
In separate remarks, the Manager of Gateway International Airport, Captain Dapo Olumide, and the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engineer Ade Akinsanya, said the ongoing assessment is the last hurdle to be crossed before the airport could go on full commercial operations.
They added that the assessment given had shown that the state is set to take the lead in air traffic services in the country, describing it as a good outcome of great commitment and dedication to the realization of the dream of an airport that can meet world standards.
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