FG acquires equipment to tackle bird strike at airports

By Nneka Nwogwugwu

In order to manage hazards at airports and to improve flight operations, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has procured some birds/wildlife equipment including bird scaring gas canons.

Other equipment acquired include 15,000 rounds of 12G (heavy caliber bird scaring pyrotechnics), Hi-tech bird laser among others.

Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu, said in an event in Lagos, that the equipment, when deployed will usher in an era of safe flight operations, as incidents relating to birds strikes which have increased of late will be mitigated.

Yadudu, represented by the Director of Commercial and Business Development, Alhaji Sadiku Rafindadi noted that the equipment are some of the best you can get around, as the Authority procured them on the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).

Some of the hitech equipment commissioned include 3 different models of bird scaring gas canons, Dayboxes for carrying pyrotechnics during Operations for safety, 15,000 rounds of 12G (heavy caliber bird scaring pyrotechnics), Hi-tech bird laser, Personal Protective Equipment for staff dealing with wildlife, Purpose built TYPE IV explosive storage magazine, Brand new Hilux jeep for Runway wildlife patrol, amongst others, the Nation gathered.

NatureNews recalls that Nigeria’s army chief, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, died in a plane crash on Friday, May 21 on an official visit to Kaduna state.
The air force said in a statement that its plane crashed near Kaduna airport and that it was investigating the cause.