The Federal Executive Council (FEC) on Wednesday approved major upgrade of navigational and communications systems, and other equipment across nine airports.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo disclosed this while briefing State House Correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He said FEC presided by President Bola Tinubu also approved other measures aimed at enhancing air safety, modernising infrastructure, and improving passenger experience nationwide.
Minister Keyamo noted that council also endorsed the extension of CCECC’s maintenance contract for the new terminal at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.
These include the installation of an Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control System in Lagos and Abuja to detect runway obstructions; new modular air traffic control towers for eight airports; an aeronautical frequency monitoring and interference detection system; and the upgrade of VHF radio communication systems in nine airports.
“Another one is infrastructure upgrade that has to do with navigation again, approval for the award of contract for the installation of aeronautical frequency spectrum monitor and interference detection solution that, of course, improves the communication between the ground crew, the people at the tower, and, the the aircrafts that are approaching or taking off, and they normally guide them.
“That is the system that guides them to approach the runway communication. So this has to do with not just the detection system, but the communication system between the tower and the pilots. We are getting new equipment, upgrade those equipments.
“In that respect, the other one is the procurement, replacement and upgrade of the remote control, air, ground communication, total VHF radio system in nine sites, nine airports. this is also a radio system we are upgrading in Lagos, port, Harcourt, Ilorin, Abuja, Kano Abuja, that’s another part of Abuja, maiduguri, Sokoto and Wukari airports,” Keyamo said.
The Minister added that council chaired by President Tinubu also approved the upgrade and rollout of biometric-enabled e-gates at all international airports to fast-track passenger clearance and improve travel experience.
“And so we have approval for the provision of biometric enabled electronic gates, which is called the popular e-gates to fast track passenger solution, Fast Track solution at the nation’s international airports, all our international airports,” Keyamo said.
He noted that the upgrades reflect President Tinubu’s directive to modernise aviation infrastructure and ensure safer, more efficient air travel across Nigeria.
