Dr.Olu Owolabi

The former Managing Director of Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO)  and senior management staff of the liquidated Nigeria Airways,Dr.Olu Owolabi has expressed concern over  the way and manner people are milling around  handling  companies and the cargo area of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.

 

He also expressed fears at and indiscriminate building of houses inside available space that add no value to the Airport.

 

In addition,he frowned at the situation in which the vicinity seems not to have control over commercial buses popularly called Danfo from outside the Airport.

The buses which come all the way from Ajao  Estate and Oshodi ends gain easy access to the area particularly in the evening. They constitute nuisance and also  block the access way to the Terminal.

 

Owolabi made his feelings known while speaking  in Lagos recently.

 

“The whole place has been turned to something else.We have companies with no names springing up.They  sell cars at the Airport.”

He said that part of the Airport has been come a menace with the existence of patrol station, fuel tankers packed there.”

The former SAHCO Managing Director recalled that few years ago,it was Divine intervention that Associated Airline aircraft that was conveying the body of former Minister of Aviation Dr.Olusegun Agagu crashed shortly before getting to where the patrol tankers were packed.”The place is an eyesore”.

Assessing Senator Hadi Sirika’s eight years as the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development,he said his era did not bring the desired development to the sector.

“Why did he demolish the Nigerian Safety Investigation Building(NSIB) in Lagos? What did he do with the staff after  demolishing  it? Where are the staff  working now? Where are their offices?”

“You see houses springing up everywhere at the Airport.Security wise,it is not safe.Look at concord where mechanics  have built their workshops.”

“That place was acquired by the Airports Authorities in case aircraft over shut the runway.Security wise,it is not safe “

According to him,Sirika just spent the   eight years to build houses in the Airports.You cannot distinguish the place from a housing estate  and where aircraft land and take-off.

Owolabi stated that the conversion of Airport land to private property    is not only in Lagos.It is all over the place.

“Before I retired,I am an advocate of security of the Airport.I was part of those who set up the security plan of the MMIA.If we are called upon to advice,we will. We cannot compromise the security of our airport and country.”

Owolabi throws his weight behind Nigeria having a national carrier so long it will be authentic and real but ask the prime movers why there is no defunct Nigeria Airways Captain in the team.

According to him,Nigeria Airways pilots and staff in other departments have stood out to be counted among the best globally.

He said that during the 1996 Olympic Game in Atlanta, United States ,many Americans and other nationalities were astonished on hearing that the pilot who flew the DC10 aircraft that took the Nigerian contingent to the Game is a black man and a Nigerian.

 

“As soon as the plane touched down and taxied to a halt,they surged towards the aircraft to have  a glimpse of  the man in command of the flight. “

“When you want to create a new thing,you find out what happened to the previous one.There are good and best ones among Nigeria Airways staff who performed well.”

“For instance,the method of writing name and seat number on pieces of luggage that is being copies today by other airlines was introduced by Nigeria Airways.It was the brain child of one of the staff.”

Doctor Owolabi is full of praise for the Director General of the Civil Aviation Capt.Musa Nuhu for his steadfastness in carrying out his regulatory duties.

“Whatever achievements we have made are courtesy of Capt. Nuhu.He stands his grounds to make sure that Nigeria is not cheated.”

“Five percent(5%) of annual  Nigerian handlers’ profits go to  the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) not NCAA. One expects FAAN to be carrying the handlers as their babies.”

“The Director General of Civil Aviation, with all the threats from here and there puts his feet down to make sure that Nigerian handlers get what is right and due to them.”

Commenting on the relocation of aviation agencies headquarters to Abuja said:”when we had money,you can throw it away the way you want it.”

Lagos was once the capital of Nigeria. If you ask the head of the agencies to go to  Abuja ,yes not the whole staff strength .Things that will make the agencies effective are in lagos,he stated.

“The head can be in Abuja.It is because they are myopic that is why they are doing that.It is part of  what is killing the country.Our behaviour does not promote unity.”

On  performances and qualities of handling companies in Nigeria,Owolabi gives kudos to Dr.Taiwo Afolabi,chairman of SAHCO for believing in Nigeria and building a standard handling company in the country.

“You have entrepreneur who is ready to development his country.He is not like other people taking their money to other countries to improve their economies while Nigeria suffers.”

“When SAHCO  warehouse is to be built,we travelled to many countries to study their model to make sure ours did not fall short of the best.”

“On my part,I made it known to Dr.Afolabi that I was not prepare to be part of poorly done projects. He gave me the  free  hands to build the best handling company in Africa.”