….Consolidate gains
The management of Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Two (MMA2), Lagos, has announced the second phase of its media tours in the new year, noting that the highly successful first phase carried out recently have continued to generate interests, expectedly, among aviation industry stakeholders.
The MMA2 operator, said while the recent tours afforded BASL the opportunity to lay bare in public space what they have been doing to make terminal a continuously attractive destination for passengers and visitors alike, it also gave the managements of the media houses already visited the opportunity to further learn and interrogate the totality of MMA2 existence and the magic BASL has been performing to keep the terminal running, more than 17 years after, despite the enormous challenges it faces from inception till date.
The media tour began with a visit to the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents Secretariat and Media houses that have hosted the BASL management so far include The Guardian, The PUNCH, Vanguard, New Telegraph, The Nation, and Business Day.
During the visits, BASL management led by its Head of Aeronautical and Cargo Services/Acting Chief Operating Officer (COO), Remi Jibodu, spoke extensively on how the management has sustained MMA2 over the years and the various projects it is planning in the new year to increase the value of the first privately managed airport terminal in Nigeria.
Specifically, Jibodu, while responding to issues raised by the various managements of the media houses emphasized the pioneering efforts of BASL in building and managing MMA2 over the years, setting up of Equipment Management Department to keep an eye on the various ultra-modern equipment the company keeps investing billions of naira in at the terminal to meet international best standard.
He also explained how the operators had acquired a digital cold room for preservation of perishable cargoes and how it also acquired enhanced surveillance systems to tackle stealing by passengers and intending stowaways.
Jibodu, who was also accompanied during the various visits by the Head of Aviation Security, Ms. Monica Oguta and Media Executive, Funmi Ayanwusi, said with MMA2, BASL has proved that the government can collaborate with the private sector to successfully provide and manage social infrastructure.
He disclosed that MMA2 recently set up an equipment management department in a bid to address the pitfalls it has seen in the industry as regards poor infrastructure.
Jibodu, noted that in April, last year, MMA2 recorded 62 per cent on-time performance in terms of departure of the airline while in May, it increased to 76 per cent, adding that from January till date, the average has been 74 per cent.
He said the ultimate target is to achieve between 85 to 90 per cent.
The COO also explained that they have enhanced the Wi-fi system at the airport, as passengers can now access Wi-fi system around the departure hall and private departure area, which is the terminal’s premium service area.
He said the Wi-fi services was recently extended to the food court because passengers with delayed flights often go to this area of the terminal, adding that through the surveillance system of MMA2, the terminal has been able to stop stowaways and retrieve stolen items from the terminal and aircraft from unscrupulous individuals.
The management of the media houses praised BASL and encouraged it to sustain its maintenance of MMA2 as proof that Nigerians can actually run public infrastructure successfully.
The Head of Corporate Communications of BASL, Mrs. Ajoke Yinka-Olawuyi, who was on the team also revealed how BASL is collaborating with NSIA-LUTH Cancer Center to create breast cancer awareness among the women as nopart of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), among other laudable projects.
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