The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has prohibited airport officials not certified appropriately to drive on the airsides of the nation’s airports from doing so.
The directive was issued due to the recent high rate of near-collision between motor vehicles and aircraft at the airside of Muritala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
According to the agency, all drivers plying the airsides must undergo mandatory airline drivers training.
General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs Herrietta Yakubu confirmed the development.
“FAAN is re-emphasising this policy to ensure operational safety, following a recently averted airside incident involving a Customs official, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.
“With this directive, all airline officials, Security agencies, ground handling companies, and other stakeholders are hereby put on notice to ensure that their officials, that have airside related roles, and will need to drive, are sent to FAAN’S training department to undergo this mandatory training before been assigned to duty.
“The Authority will no longer take lightly any act of violation of this directive, in the interest of safety,” Yakubu said.