Yemisi Izuora
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), is considering setting up Emergency Operation Centre (EOC), at airports to deal with crisis situations when they arise.
The Managing Director of FAAN, Capt. Rabiu Yadudu, who disclosed this to newsmen at the weekend in Lagos explained that Kaduna Airport was added to the growing number of emergency centres in the country because of its international status.
The EOC at the Kaduna International Airport was about two weeks ago inaugurated by the authority.
He noted that it was key for all airports to have an EOC that could be activated in times of emergencies.
Yadudu said, “So far, it is only international airports that have EOCs, but it is what we should have in every airport. Kaduna airport didn’t have before now, maybe because it wasn’t an international airport, but all the airports should have it”.
“The essence is to cater for emergencies like air crash, terminals and any form of emergencies that may arise where you have casualties. You need to have a place to coordinate emergencies where you can seat down quickly and direct resolutions of the emergencies”.
“That’s why it is not usually inside the terminal or air side, but where you can have access to the runway, air side and the terminal. You can see what is happening, but it is a bit remote from the terminal building. Whatever that is happening in the terminal, you can easily go there.”
According to him, the emergency plan is quickly activated during emergencies at the airports.
Yadudu said once normalcy had been restored, the centre would be closed, adding that all airports were supposed to have it with competent personnel.
He described EOC as a structure it needed to make Kaduna a viable alternative to Abuja.