The management of the Airports Fire and Safety Multipurpose Cooperative Society has hailed the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, for her vision and determination to boost the hospitality sub-sector of the aviation industry as part of the agency’s overall airport development plan.
President of the Cooperative Society, Saheed Sadiq, made the commendation at the commissioning of the Firecoop Aviators’ Lodge, a project of the cooperative society located at Beesam by the Tollgate along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.
The AFSMCS particularly acknowledged the intervention of the FAAN MD to reposition the lodging facility at the airport, which has increased patronage.
Sadiq, who lauded Kuku for her vision for the hospitality sector, said the facility has never had it so good since the appointment of Kuku, whom he said has ensured that the lodge continues to enjoy a twenty-hour power supply among other developments on the facility.
Sadiq said, “The role FAAN has played in the whole of this investment cannot be overemphasised. The agency, as a strategic partner in the management of staff welfare, has played a very pivotal role in this investment. The energy we are consuming here today is courtesy of FAAN, and we remain eternally grateful to the management for the laudable support. Our partnership remains synergistic.
“Looking at the investment from the hospitality angle, it is playing an important role in facilitating passengers travelling seamlessly to the airport; the proximity is there, and you are looking at the international airport there and the local airport here. This investment is strategic in achieving that for the travelling public, tourism-wise, this place is very central to attracting travellers and easing the movement of passengers to the airport terminals here in Lagos.
“I must confess we have never had it this good since the history of FAAN because when you talk of members’ welfare, this administration does not joke with it.”
The AFSMCS President used the opportunity to solicit the support of the agency and industry stakeholders in completing the furnishing of the project, which he said is critical to the commencement of its businesses in the 24-room suites’ new wing of the facility.
“We appeal that the agencies support us in furnishing the new 24-room wing as we have completed the structure itself. In the prevailing time, due to the fluctuating cost of things in the market, the economic policy has also not helped matters because the market has been so dynamic, so from an estimated angle, to completely furnish this facility we need nothing less than 250 million.
“Management can also help liaise with the local government and Lagos state government to help fix the road, which is in dire need of repairs. We have made attempts to attract government attention in the past, but it has not been fruitful.”
“I have to give it to the FAAN MD; as I said, we have never had it this good, and I think we should give it to her; she has been trying, and we will continue to praise her.”
At the commissioning of the facility, the FAAN MD, who was represented by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, affirmed that the development of the lodge is part of her vision to improve seamless passengers facilitation and movement around the three terminals at the Lagos airport.
Kuku declared, “The Firecoop Aviators’ Lodge is strategically located between the domestic and international wing of the Lagos airport. This to us is cheering as it allows easy access to the terminals here at the airport without the attendant traffic challenges we encounter when coming from other locations.
“FAAN will continue to partner with the managers of the Firecoop Aviators’ Lodge in improving passengers’ experiences around the Lagos airport, as I firmly believe its state-of-the-art facilities aptly fit the standard we desire to create and expect facilities that will help reposition our industry in the direction we so much desire for the industry.”
