Again, Fire Disrupts Activities at Lagos Airport

Chinedu Eze
There seems to be no end to the incessant fireoutbreak at the international terminal of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, as another fire erupted at the E-wing of the airport yesterday.

Although the fire started before the peak of passenger movement at the terminal, it disrupted check-in and other activities at the departures of the E-wing but was quickly put out before it could spread to other parts of the facility.

Airport users and officials that have worked at that terminal for years insist that old cables, obsolete electric gadgets, uncontrolled and armature extension of power to new stalls, new offices and additions to the old terminal stretch the old cables, as demand for electricity increases with increased activities without adequate expansion of outlets.

Observers who spoke to THISDAY called for total overhaul of the electric system at the terminal and replacement of cables, which can no more carry the high voltage of power that is now demanded at the airport because of increased activities.

However, the management of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which confirmed the incident, explained that the fire was caused by a spark at the “Main Distribution Board at the E-Finger of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.”

The agency said in a statement signed by the acting General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu, that engineers “successfully corrected all faults and normalcy was restored at affected areas.”

“While assuring airport users of safety and security at our airports, FAAN wishes to apologise to passengers, airlines and the general public for the inconvenience caused by this interruption,” the statement said.