Rita Odafe
Concerns Over Increasing Bird Strikes in Nigeria
The NCAA (Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority) is voicing serious worries about the alarming rise in bird strikes at several airports, including those in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Owerri, and Akwa Ibom.
Engineer Godwin Balang, who oversees Aerodrome and Airspace Standards at the NCAA, revealed that Murtala Muhammed International Airport experienced four separate bird strikes on Runway 18R in just one day, emphasizing a significant safety concern in Nigeria’s airspace.
According to the NCAA, the increasing incidents are primarily linked to improper waste management and uncontrolled plant growth near airport areas.
Balang assured that the NCAA is enhancing its monitoring and surveillance efforts to quickly identify and manage these risks, in alignment with both national and international safety standards.
To counter the threats posed by wildlife, the NCAA has issued detailed advisory guidelines to help airport operators comply with established wildlife and bird strike prevention regulations. They are actively reviewing Wildlife Hazard Management Plans (WHMPs) submitted by various airports across the nation.
Balang mentioned that the NCAA’s approach is based on eight established safety oversight principles which will guide efforts nationwide in managing wildlife and bird strike incidents moving forward.
“One crucial aspect is the legal framework; the NCAA is equipped with the necessary legislative powers to implement enforceable aviation rules when required,” explained Balang.
“Additionally, the updated Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs) 2023 Part 12 mandates airports to develop and maintain Wildlife Hazard Management Plans,” he added. “These plans are structured according to ICAO Annex 14, as outlined in the Airport Services Manual Doc. 9137, addressing wildlife collision dangers.”
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) is taking proactive steps by acquiring advanced bird control systems targeted at reducing bird strike occurrences, especially at busy airports like Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
In light of these developments, Captain Chris Najomo, the Director General of the NCAA, emphasized that preventing bird strikes remains a top priority for the authority.
He also mentioned that NCAA inspectors have undergone specialized training in wildlife hazard management, with some officials attending advanced courses at the University of Missouri in the USA to better equip them to tackle this issue.
