By: Hajara Umar Nataala
The Senate on Tuesday passed a bill to amend the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Act.
The bill was passed due the consideration given on a report by the Committee on Aviation.
The Chairman of the Committee, Senator Smart Adeyemi, in his presentation, explained that the bill seeks to repeal the Federal Airports Authority Act and to enact the Federal Airports Authority Act 2021.
He stated that the piece of legislation also seeks to provide for the effective management of airports in Nigeria.
According to him, under the bill, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) would retain its responsibilities of providing effective management, the necessary services and facilities for safe, secure, orderly, expeditious and economic operation of airports and air transport within Nigeria.
The bill would also provide that subject to approval from FAAN, no individual be permitted to commence construction or reconstruction of an aerodrome in Nigeria.
Adeyemi said that stakeholders at the public hearing on the bill disclosed that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Act has not had any major amendments done since 1999 despite the changes that occurred.
He explained that the amendments to the Federal Airports Authority Act has become necessary to create the enabling environment for FAAN to function transparently, efficiently and effectively.
Source: NASS News