By Itohan Abara-Laserian

An aviation security consultant, retired Group Capt. John Ojikutu, has identified unstable policies as a hindrance to having aerotropolis in Nigeria’s major airports.

Ojikutu made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.

Aerotropolis is a concept where an airport’s surrounding area develops into a thriving urban centre, with businesses, residential areas and transport networks all interconnected and optimised around the airport.

Essentially, it is an airport-driven urban area with a focus on aviation-linked businesses and activities.

According to Ojikutu, aerotropolis has been in the plan of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for over 20 years but faced some challenges.

NAN reports that integration of aerotropolis into an airport’s master plan is expected to strengthen the airport’s role as a hub for economic activities and development.

According to him, the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) has a master plan which was distorted.

“The international passengers’ terminals are expected to be four but only two are still struggling with private aircraft operators.

“Surrounding the airport are public houses and buildings on the lands approved by government for the airport development.

“The MMA in particular cannot find land on the opposite side of the airport for any development.

“All the services are all on one side – beginning with the international and domestic terminals, airline and private operators’ hangers, ground handling services, fuel marketers, and military barracks among others,” he said.

Ojikutu said that most of airports’ encroached lands could have gone for parks, recreational areas, hotels and shopping malls, among others.

“Aerotropolis has been in the plan of FAAN for more than 20 years but unstable policies and personal interest of those in the administration and the management of the agencies made it difficult.

“The Privatisation, Commercialisation and Concession Act of 2000 has never been brought back to the table for any other to have a taste after the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2),” he added.

On airport security, Ojikutu said that having more than six government security agencies working in airports was hindering effective collaboration.

“There can be no effective collaboration without a unified command and control.

“Having over six government security agencies working in the airports create multiple problems that make none to be in control.” (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Ijeoma Popoola