Flight operations: NCAA, Lagos move to stop high rise structures

Worried by the threat posed to safe flights operations by high rise structures spread around Lagos metropolis, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Lagos State Government have promised to work together to remove the threats.

This was the outcome of the meeting held with officials of the state government’s from the Ministry of Physical Planning & Urban Development and Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

The proliferation of high-rise structures around Lagos has been a source of worry to the regulatory authority.

It would be recalled that the agency last year issued a stern warning to telecommunications service providers, stakeholders and the general public to obtain Aviation Height Clearance (AHC), Permits and Licences before construction of high-rise structures.

These Permits, Aviation Height Clearance and Licences are to be obtained before the construction of the following – Tower, Telecommunication Masts, High Rise Buildings/Structures and Landing facilities like Helipad/Helideck for civil use and Heliports.

This is in line with the Civil Aviation Act. 2006 Part IX (30) (L) which empowers the Authority to prohibit, regulate and remove any structure which, by virtue of its height or position, is considered to endanger the safety of aircraft operations.

However, as a follow-up to the warning and the obvious threat posed by such structures in Lagos, the Director General of the agency, Capt. Muhtar Usman held two separate meetings with the Lagos officials in April and May where they resolved to work together to tackle "real and obvious threat to safe flight operations these structures possess."

The Director General was represented at the meetings by the Director of Aerodrome and Airspace Standards (DAAS), Engr. Mohammed Odunowo.

Spokesman of NCAA , Sam Adurogboye said, "With this synergy, it is expected that the two parastatals of the Lagos State Government will deploy their capacities in clearing all obstructions/obstacles along flight paths within the state. In addition, their resources will be used to spot where other landing facilities are located in Lagos."

He disclosed that the NCAA) has directed all intending developers or builders of high-rise structures within the Aerodrome Obstacle Limitation Surfaces (OLS) should always apply to the Authority for Aviation Height Clearance (AHC) and Permit.

It was similarly agreed that NCAA will provide the Lagos State agencies with a Flight Path Map to guide them in planning, development and granting of approvals for new structures in the state.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is ready to enter into partnership that will guarantee the safety and security of flight operations.

Another meeting has been slated to review the operations.