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New Landing Systems Approved for 11 Airports

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Arik Airplane - Investors King
  • New Landing Systems Approved for 11 Airports

Smarting from nationwide flight disruptions last December and early January, the Federal Government has concluded plans to deploy new Instrument Landing Systems (ILS) in at least 11 airports nationwide.

The equipment, valued at several millions of dollars, will put an end to flight disruptions during harmattan season and other inclement weather conditions.

Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Capt. Fola Akinkuotu, confirmed that the Federal Government had already made an order for ILS to go round the designated airfields and more.

An Instrument Landing System (ILS) enables aircraft to land if the pilots are unable to establish visual contact with the runway. It does this by way of transmitted radio signals.

According to experts, the system operates as a ground-based instrument approach system that provides precision lateral and vertical guidance to an aircraft approaching and landing on a runway, using a combination of radio signals and, in many cases, high-intensity lighting arrays. This enables a safe landing during Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC), such as low ceilings or reduced visibility due to fog, rain, or blowing snow.

Recall that domestic flights operations were on lockdown for several days last December due to envisaged harmattan haze. While more sophisticated wide-bodied foreign aircraft manoeuvred the haze, their domestic counterparts were grounded at airports across the country.

Akinkuotu, while conducting journalists round the upgraded navigational equipment at the Kaduna International Airport (KIA) recently, noted that visibility at many of the aerodromes are bad and the essence of deploying new ILS is to completely change the narrative.

He said: “Come December this year, there should be no excuse of aircraft not landing in harmattan.”

Among the airports to benefit from the critical safety tools are the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Port-Harcourt International Airport, Ibadan Airport, Benin Airport, Nnamdi Azikiwe International, Abuja and Minna Airport among others.

According to Akinkuotu, “There are 11 ILSs that are going to be installed. They are brand new. Don’t let us forget that they are going to recover some items. Lagos has an ILS; I think Ibadan too is going to get newer ones. So, whatever we recover, we can put them in some other places. I would expect that over time when the materials, assets are in, we should be able to do not less than 18 fields.”

The plan is in line with the assurance given by the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, that efforts were ongoing to keep improving all the airports amidst plans to have them concessioned in batches.

Sirika, in an interview with The Guardian, said there are plans to fix the whole airports, creating more activities around them to make them viable, attractive and bankable.

Currently, only very few aerodromes out of the 24 airports in Nigeria have airfield lighting and ILS.

The NAMA boss explained that there are two basic sets of costs associated with an ILS. They are installation costs, purchase of equipment, site surveying and preparation and upkeep costs.

“People forget that the latter doesn’t simply mean keeping the system in good repair; it also carries with it the requirement to regularly inspect the system to ensure it is operating within proper tolerances. The localiser provides guidance in lateral dimension on the lateral plain. Cooling is essential for this component,” he said.

He further said that with the new ILS in place, airplanes can land in zero visibility as long as they have corresponding equipment on-board their airplanes.

“What it means is that there would be all year flying in this place irrespective whether it is dust haze or early morning mist. I can guarantee you can do all year round flights in this place.

“The challenges in Port-Harcourt are different. In Port-Harcourt, every morning, it is very difficult to fly into Port-Harcourt Airport; that is why you find many airlines not going to Port-Harcourt before 8 am. Low clouds are there. The more sophisticated instrument landing systems you have, the easier it is for you to land.

“We have capability to land in zero condition; that is, you don’t see anything. If you are willing to pay for it not only in the equipment but the aircraft must properly be equipped; people have to be trained, power has to be regular at the airport,” Akinkuotu said.

Is the CEO/Founder of Investors King Limited. A proven foreign exchange research analyst and a published author on Yahoo Finance, Businessinsider, Nasdaq, Entrepreneur.com, Investorplace, and many more. He has over two decades of experience in global financial markets.

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Seplat Energy Unveils Ambitious Drilling Program for 2024, Aims for 13 New Wells

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seplate to announce financial results on July 29, 2020

Seplat Energy, one of Nigeria’s prominent energy companies, has set its sights on an ambitious drilling program for 2024, with plans to deliver 13 new oil and gas wells across its operated and non-operated assets.

This announcement comes as part of the company’s unaudited results for the first quarter ending March 31, 2024.

The breakdown of the new wells reveals a strategic focus, with 11 dedicated to oil production and 2 aimed at gas production.

Seplat Energy highlights the successful commencement of its drilling program by delivering one well, Ovhor21, in the first quarter of 2024.

Also, two wells, Okporhuru-9 and Sapele-37, which were initiated towards the end of 2023, have been completed.

Both Okporhuru-9 and Sapele-37 have yielded promising results. Okporhuru-9 has discovered multiple hydrocarbon-bearing intervals in deeper formations, while Sapele-37 encountered hydrocarbons in deeper reservoirs, along with proving up a northern extension to the Sapele field.

Seplat Energy is now conducting further technical analysis to assess the commercial potential of these discoveries and the wider implications for OML 41.

Looking ahead, Seplat Energy is committed to delivering the remaining 12 wells on the 2024 drilling plan.

Three wells, namely Ovhor-22, Sapele-38, and OBEN KIKB-02, are expected to be completed during the second quarter, with the aim of supporting production volumes later in the year.

Roger Brown, the Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, expressed optimism about the discoveries, emphasizing the promising initial results and highlighting the quality of Nigeria’s geological resources.

He also acknowledged the progressive actions taken by President Tinubu and industry regulators to support the energy sector.

Furthermore, Seplat Energy has made strides in enhancing its operational efficiency and shareholder value.

The company has released the applicable exchange rate for determining its final and special dividend payout to shareholders who opt to receive their dividends in naira.

With an exchange rate of N1,309.88 per $1, shareholders can expect clarity and transparency in dividend payments.

Seplat Energy’s ambitious drilling program underscores its commitment to driving growth and innovation in Nigeria’s energy landscape while maintaining a strong focus on operational excellence and value creation for stakeholders.

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APM Terminals in Talks with Government for Terminal Upgrade in Apapa

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apapa

APM Terminals is engaging in discussions with the government for a significant upgrade at its Apapa terminal.

Keith Svendsen, the Chief Executive Officer of APM Terminals, disclosed the company’s ambitious plans aimed at accommodating vessels with deep drafts and large ship-to-shore cranes.

The upgrade is part of APM Terminals’ long-term vision to bolster import and export opportunities in the country, create employment, and diversify local opportunities.

Svendsen emphasized the importance of fortifying existing port infrastructure, especially in Lagos, to manage increasing trade volumes effectively.

“While greenfield terminals like Lekki and later on Badagry would support economic growth in the long run, the more urgent requirement is in our view to upgrade the existing port infrastructure,” Svendsen commented.

The proposed upgrades seek to facilitate smoother operations, providing seamless connectivity through road, rail, and barge networks to mainline shipping.

Svendsen highlighted the unique position of the Apapa port in offering access to international markets for Nigerian importers and exporters, leveraging not only road but also rail and waterways, utilizing barges.

APM Terminals has been a pivotal player in Nigeria’s maritime sector for close to two decades. The company’s commitment to the nation’s economic growth is underscored by its proposed investment of over $500 million, subject to a long-term partnership with the government.

The Apapa terminal is a vital gateway for trade, handling a significant portion of Nigeria’s container traffic.

Furthermore, APM Terminals’ operations in Lagos and Onne collectively manage about half of the containers in Nigeria, demonstrating their pivotal role in the country’s logistics landscape.

The proposed upgrades signify APM Terminals’ dedication to supporting Nigeria’s economic reforms and attracting international investments.

The company has already invested over $600 million since its inception in Nigeria in 2006, directly employing approximately 2,500 Nigerians and indirectly contributing to employment for about 65,000 individuals.

“At APM Terminals, we believe strongly in the prospects for the Nigerian economy and the long-term opportunities that the current economic reforms and invitation for international investments will generate,” Svendsen affirmed.

As talks between APM Terminals and the government progress, stakeholders are optimistic about the positive impact of the proposed terminal upgrades on Nigeria’s maritime sector and overall economic development.

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Uber Rolls Out Flex Pay Feature: Daily Earnings for Nigerian Drivers

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Uber

Uber has rolled out a feature in Nigeria that promises to revolutionize the way drivers receive their earnings.

Dubbed “Flex Pay,” this innovative initiative allows Uber drivers across the country to access their earnings daily, a significant departure from the previous weekly payment system.

The announcement came during a recent media briefing led by Tope Akinwumi, Uber Nigeria’s country manager.

Akinwumi expressed the company’s commitment to supporting its drivers by introducing Flex Pay, which aims to help drivers meet their financial obligations more promptly and efficiently.

With Flex Pay, drivers now have the flexibility to access their earnings directly through their mobile wallets on a daily basis.

This move is poised to bring about a host of benefits for drivers, offering them greater financial stability and control over their finances.

In addition to the introduction of Flex Pay, Uber also unveiled a set of new features designed to enhance the driver experience on the platform.

One such feature is the ability for drivers to see upfront details about a trip request, including the destination and expected fare.

This added transparency empowers drivers to make more informed decisions about which trips to accept, ultimately improving their overall experience on the platform.

Speaking about the new features, Akinwumi emphasized Uber’s commitment to prioritizing the needs and feedback of its driver-partners.

He highlighted the company’s ongoing efforts to innovate and develop solutions that enhance the driver experience and ensure their satisfaction with the platform.

“We are constantly listening to feedback from our driver-partners and striving to provide them with the tools and support they need to succeed,” said Akinwumi.

“The introduction of Flex Pay and other new features is a testament to our commitment to empowering our driver-partners and enhancing their experience on the Uber platform.”

The implementation of Flex Pay marks a significant milestone for Uber in Nigeria, demonstrating the company’s dedication to driving positive change and innovation in the ride-hailing industry.

As drivers begin to benefit from daily earnings and increased transparency, Uber is poised to strengthen its position as a leading provider of flexible earning opportunities in the country.

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