Mr. Henry Efobi is the Airport Manager, Sam Mbakwe International Airport Owerri. He speaks in this interview on several issues including the cargo airport handled by the Imo state Government, and how the airport’s management has curtailed restiveness in the airport’s host communities. IME AKPAN reports
Progress made on cargo airport project The cargo section here is handled by the Imo State government. It is one of the promises the governor made to his people. The cargo section is moving fine and the structures are coming up as we now have about seven buildings there now. The state government is doing something to make sure it takes off as soon as possible. The relationship between the management of the airport and the Imo State government is cordial. The relationship has been very fantastic. We are working together for the common good of the people. We hold meetings and sometimes I visit the governor as well. Whenever, I visit and he knows am there; he always responds positively. In such meetings, I do tell him what we need to do and he listens to me. The relationship has been very fantastic.
Some other areas the state government has assisted The Imo State government is doing well. The governor has done some things in terms of security. He has renovated the police station. With respect to the police, he is doing very well. On the cargo terminal, he has taken some steps in that direction. He came and we discussed. We told him our challenges, especially the issue of communities encroaching into the airport premises. The governor played a very big role in that regard; he even sent his deputy at a point, telling the communities not encroach into the airport. He also made them to understand that the existence of the airport is basically for their own good. On our own part, we are not relenting but trying to see what we can do. On host communities holding airport workers hostage I have not experienced that. Since I came, they have not done that because I studied their grievances and I know what they are looking for. I told the managing director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. Saleh Dunoma about the issue and he listened. So, we adopted some strategies. For example, the indigenes constitute about 60 per cent of the 185 staff that are in our pay roll. We have been helping them through employment. We were able to do this through Dunoma’s goodwill. Through his leadership, we were able to contain any kind of hostage taking. We also have meetings with the communities where we discuss the way forward and I am in contact with them and their leadership. Whenever they want to do anything, they tell me and I give them advice too. Such understanding and rapport have helped to reduce agitation. The federal government, on its own part, has also been doing something, especially in the area of security. We now have the Nigeria Air Force; they are supporting us and we now have full-time patrol around the airport. With the presence of NAF, I think the problem of insecurity in the area is solved.
On plans to generate revenue from nonaeronautical sources We are working on plans to generate revenue from non-aeronautical sources. It’s one of the things I marshalled out and we have formed a committee to look into those areas so that they can fine tune how they can work out effectively to generate revenue. We want to open a general service area where shoe makers, vulcanizers, wrist watch repairers, tailors and other artisans can trade and do business. We are also planning to commence branding of Sam Mbakwe International Airport. Such branding is going to start with water. We want to start branding portable water and we are already talking with some consultants to know how to go about it. When I came, a lot of people were complaining of food poisoning arising from taking water from unsafe sources. When we brand water, it will not only create awareness for Sam Mbakwe Airport but also improve the health of the consumers.
On airlines and aircraft movement at the airport The issue of airlines coming has always been there. Most of them like to come during festive periods because of the high traffic and load factor during those periods. Airport operation is capital intensive. So everybody wants ways to make some money. However, I have to thank Air Peace. They are making us proud. In my own capacity, I have promised that we would do anything humanly possible to ensure they continue to come. Efforts made to improve staff welfare Staff welfare is a very serious issue which I met when I took over. When I came, staff buses were working; I repaired some vehicles which we used to carry our staff. For the staff quarters, our management is aware of that. But I am planning to talk to some developers so that we can synergize and come up with something. You know I don’t have the power to approve; so I will lay it before the management to look at. These are the things we have in mind. The state is also listening to us in that regard but such a project involves a lot of money.
How the airport copes with power supply Power is a problem; we don’t have a dedicated line. Though efforts have been made in the past because a team was set up to tackle that issue, shortly before the change of government, we still don’t have a dedicated line; we don’t even have power. The independent power generators have not been helping. We pay as soon as they bring their bills even though they don’t give us light. This is because we don’t want to give them the room to disconnect our light. With the magnanimity of the headquarters, we have 1,000 KVA power generating plant and one other 500KVA. So that is what we have been using. We live on diesel and it is a very expensive. Projection for the airport and expectation from stakeholders I want Sam Mbakwe Airport to look like the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) or Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. My dream is to make it flourish so that FAAN would make their money while passengers would also have a beautiful place they can relax. We want to do it in such a manner that when they go they tell others. And I want stakeholders to sell the airport to other passengers.
My service in FAAN I have served FAAN for 27 years. I started as aviation security (AVSEC) officer and I have worked in many airports in the aviation security units. I have headed quite a number of airports in terms of security. In 2014, the management of FAAN found me worthy to be appointed as airport manager and posted me to Sam Mbakwe International Airport. Coming here, I saw what was happening. Overtime, the airport has improved in terms of structure. We tried as much as possible to improve on it. My priority when I came here was to motivate the staff in whatever way. Since then, we have been doing inhouse training for the staff
