FAAN Stands Out At ACI Africa Conference As Uriesi Bags VP Position

 

 The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had a very strong presence at this year’s 22nd Annual Airports Council International (ACI) Africa Region Conference and Exhibition held at the EcoBank Conference Centre in Lome, Togo on October 19 – 23. The conference which had as its theme: “Airport Development In Africa - Time To Act,” brought together representatives from around the world and provided a unique opportunity for airport and aviation executives, experts and exhibitors from over 50 countries to network and forge a common vision for the future of airport business in Africa. Topical issues raised at the gathering include: Development of airport resources and traffic, Airport charges, Maximising non-aeronautical potential, Airport concessions, and Airport marketing. Other subjects on interest were: Challenges of managing small airports, Airport Master Planning, Safeguard of airports future, Strategies for development, Public Private Partnership and Investment financing.

 

FAAN took strong advantage of the occasion to showcase the massive and impressive work that have been completed and currently ongoing in its nationwide airport remodelling project which fell effectively in line with the theme of the conference. To this end, the colourful FAAN exhibition stand was a beehive of activities as visitors thronged the stand to share in the success and progress being made by the country in the area of infrastructure upgrade. Another highpoint for FAAN during the conference was the election of Mr. George Uriesi, the Managing Director, into the office of Vice President of ACI Africa Region. He would hold this position for three years and will be working with Mr Paschal Komla from Togo who having served as Acting President of ACI for the past three years was also elected as President in Togo

Ms. Angela Gittens, Director General, ACI World noted that while a lot of progress has been made in Africa, yet the ability of ACI to affect policy decisions that influence safety, security, the economics of airports, the environment and the ability of airports to get good customer service on the continent is still not so easy due to the fact that unlike in Europe where they have the European Union and European Commission so that one can deal with them and not so strongly with each member state, “in Africa it’s a little bit more difficult because states themselves are all individual and have not come together with some common objectives and common goals,” she remarked.

Host of the event and Director General of Lome Tokoin Airports Authority (SALT), Mr. Akrima Kogoe called for more cooperation and solidarity among airports groups on the continent. Addressing delegates, he stressed: “We can only face the challenges and dangers of tomorrow by being together here and now. Yes, it is time to act, because airport potential is nowhere greater than in Africa.”