•Aviation minister, Festus Keyamo and MMIA, Lagos
The federal government has approved a comprehensive upgrade of navigational and communication systems across airports nationwide.
The decision which was ratified at the Federal Executive Council meeting, chaired by President Bola Tinubu yesterday is aimed at strengthening air safety, modernising infrastructure, and improving the passenger experience, reports Daily Independent.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this to State House correspondents, revealing that council endorsed the extension of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) maintenance contract for the new terminal at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, alongside several critical aviation infrastructure projects.
He explained that the upgrades include the installation of Advanced Surface Movement Guidance and Control Systems (A-SMGCS) in Lagos and Abuja to detect runway obstructions; procurement of modular air traffic control towers for eight airports; deployment of an aeronautical frequency monitoring and interference detection system; and the replacement and upgrade of Very High Frequency (VHF) radio communication systems in nine airports.
“Another approval relates to navigation infrastructure, the installation of aeronautical frequency spectrum monitoring and interference detection equipment. This enhances communication between ground staff, tower controllers and aircraft approaching or departing our airports,” the minister noted.
According to him, the new system will significantly improve the reliability of communication between pilots and control towers, a critical element of safe flight operations.
He listed the airports earmarked for the VHF radio communication upgrade to include Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ilorin, Abuja, Kano, Maiduguri, Sokoto and Wukari.
Keyamo further announced presidential approval for the deployment of biometric-enabled electronic gates (e-gates) at all international airports to fast-track passenger processing and enhance travel convenience.
“We now have approval for the provision of biometric-enabled e-gates — widely known as e-gates — to fast-track passenger clearance at all our international airports,” he said.
The minister stressed that the upgrades align with President Tinubu’s directive to modernise national aviation infrastructure and deliver safer, more efficient air travel across the country.
