The Nation Newspaper

Tag: aviation security

  • UK partners Nigeria on aviation security

    UK partners Nigeria on aviation security

    … As NSCDC boss hails FG over release of 90% budget allocation

     

    The Department of Transport, United Kingdom, has resolved to partner with the Federal Government through the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), on Aviation Security in Nigeria, especially the Lagos and Abuja International Airports.

    Commandant General (CG), NSCDC, Gana Muhammadu disclosed this during a courtesy visit by the Department of Transport, United Kingdom.

    A statement issued in Abuja by the NSCDC spokesman, Emmanuel Okeh said: “Andrew Jones the leader of delegation, Department of Transport United Kingdom, highlighted that the essence of their visit is to partner the NSCDC on Aviation Security in Nigeria, especially the Lagos and the Abuja International Airports. He disclosed that they are responsible to counter terrorist attack in the UK, and they work with host governments in the area of Aviation Security.

    “Andrew explained that in carrying out their work, they will do regular department by department thorough security assessment of the Lagos and Abuja Airports.

    “He maintained that in working together with the NSCDC, they will like both them and the NSCDC to learn from each other on how best to make the Airports very safe for travelling Nigerians and foreigners alike.

    “Andrew affirmed that they will prepare a manual on Aviation Security specifically for the NSCDC, that their approach to protecting the Nigerian Aviation Sector will be holistic.

    “The Commandant General thanked the Minister of Interior, Associate Professor Bello Dambazzau and the Team for the visit. The Commandant General also appreciated the Federal Government to have released about 90% of the Civil Defence budget allocation for the first time.

    “Gana noted that the mandate of the NSCDC is to protect Critical Infrastructure and National Assets in Nigeria, the Aviation Sector inclusive. He revealed that as at today, the Corps has successfully Prosecuted 150 vandals and destroyed over 500 illegal refineries nationwide.

    “The Corps helmsman pointed out, that the Agency is very open to work with the UK Transport Department on Aviation Security for the Airports in Nigeria, as the hallmark of the discussion is to provide adequate security for the travelling Nigerians and foreigners on the Nigeria soil.

    “Gana maintained that the visit is timely, and requested that the UK Transport Department should assist in ameliorating the challenges faced by the Corps by providing capacity building for Officers and Men of the Corps, equipment devices to work with by the officers and Men of the Corps at the Airports.

    “The Leader of the Civil Defence postulated that the concerted efforts being made by the present administration of the NSCDC and the insertion of the NSCDC into the Nigerian constitution are all for laying very solid foundational structure for the future of the Corps.

    The CG reiterated that working at the Airports, the NSCDC will work at the outside perimeter of the Airports in order to forestall any eventuality.

    Read: NSCDC moves to address personnel’s housing needs

    “Director Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Alhaji Bala Salihu, informed that the Minister of Interior directed that he accompany the Team to the NSCDC, in his capacity as the Secretary to the Presidential Committee on Security of the Nigerian Ports.

    “Salihu revealed that the then Acting President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, set up the Presidential Committee on the Improvement of Security at the Ports. The focus is to facilitate the Ease of Doing Business in Nigeria by providing adequate security at the Airports, Seaports and at the Strategic Boarders in the Country.

    “He also disclosed that the Committee was split into other 3 Sub-committees, which are Committee for Sensitization of the General Public on security at the Ports. Committee on Streamlining the Presence of the Security Agencies to work at the Ports in Nigeria, and the Committee to Advice the Federal Government on how to fast track the ease of doing business in the areas of security in Nigeria.

    “Speaking also, the Special Assistant to the Honourable Minister of Interior, Honourable Aliyu Gebi, advised the Corps that in the discharge of their duties at the Airports, they should monitor strictly the fuel dump sites, farm areas and the human habitation around the Airports.”

  • ‘Training critical to aviation security’

    Former Director, Security Services, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), John Omaghomi, has urged the Federal Government to invest in the training of aviation security personnel. He described it as a critical component of airport security.

    According to Omaghomi, without requisite training, security personnel will be unable to respond to global threats to aviation security.

    Speaking last week during his pull out ceremony from FAAN, he said no amount of training could be too much for aviation security personnel, who needed to keep abreast of latest threats to global security, and strategies to address them.

    Omaghomi said only well- trained aviation security personnel could respond to emergencies professionally, because they have been equipped with the right skills and measures to contain any threat to air transportation.

    He urged aviation security personnel to remain dedicated and committed to their duties as the responsibility placed on their shoulders have assumed new dimensions because of the strategic role air transport plays in the global and national economies.

    Omaghomi said:”Training is a critical component in the role played by aviation security. It is for this reason we urge government to continue to invest in training to equip aviation security personnel with global measures to secure air transportation .

    “ This is critical because as threats to aviation secure remain static, there is the need to change containment measures  through time tested initiatives.”

    Also speaking, FAAN’s Managing Director, Saleh Dunoma described Omaghomi as a professional who brought his expertise to the airport security system.

    Speaking through the Director of Engineering Services, Salisu Daura, he said Omaghomi discharged his duties diligently through exemplary leadership and transfer of knowledge to improve the airport security architecture.

    Dunoma said: ”His vast contributions to FAAN accounts for the upgrading of the security unit into a directorate. He contributed immensely to the repositioning of aviation security.”

  • FG approves weapons for Aviation Security

    FG approves weapons for Aviation Security

    The Federal Government has approved that the Aviation Security personnel should bear arms to enhance the security of passengers and installations across the nation’s airports.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, stated this when he briefed State House correspondents at the end of the FEC meeting, which was presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari.

    He said that his ministry would partner with the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders in the training of the affected Aviation Security personnel in arms’ handling.

    “We are very serious about aviation security, just last week the President approved that aviation security should bear arms, so we are trying to make them take the form and shape of TSA of the US with K-9 dogs, handcuffs, the guards, the batons, light weapons, etc.

    “The Minister of Interior is helping us in that regard from the directive of Mr President to partner with them and other stakeholders to ensure we keep our airports secure.

    “So, very soon you will them with uniform, doing different functions and securing our airports.

    “All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders meeting,’’ he said.

    The minister also disclosed that the council approved N1.1 billion for the completion of the Kaduna International Airport Terminal building.

    He said the contract for the rehabilitation of the building was initially awarded in 2011 at the cost of about N500 million.

    He said the contractor noticed some structural damages to the building which necessitated the variation of the contract sum to the N1.1 billion.

    “FEC has approved the completion of Kaduna terminal building. It was awarded in 2011 and commenced in 2012.

    “During the rehabilitation of the terminal building a contractor noticed some structural damages to the building itself and then increased the scope of what to be done to put it to use and that necessitated the variation of the contract sum.

    “The cost of variation is in excess of 15 per cent, it had to go to the then President Goodluck Jonathan for approval anticipation, that was approved and they went to BPP.

    “So we brought it to council today to ratify and of course taking into cognisance the exchange rate and inflation that has increased the cost of completion of the terminal building.

    “Council has approved the completion of that terminal building and it will be completed in six months.’’

    On how to manage the closure of Abuja airport and construction of Kaduna airport terminal building, Sirika stated the rehabilitation work would not hinder flight operations.

    “There is another elaborate terminal robust enough to take the passengers for the operation of six weeks.

    “It will not stop them also from working. It may be also a bonus likely if the contractor is able to run through and finish before March.

    “But, whether it finishes or not it will not affect the operations because there are enough buildings to carry out the operations of the airport.’’

  • IATA urges governments to partner on aviation security

    IATA urges governments to partner on aviation security

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has called on governments to work harder  to provide solutions to aviation’s security challenges.

    These challenges, according to the global body, include threats to civil aviation in land and air around the airports.

    IATA’s Director-General, Alexandre de Junaic said there was need for governments to evolve new measures to improve aviation security through collaboration with IATA the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and Airports Council International (ACI).

    He said said these measures must be based on common principles to include such areas as overflying conflict zones, landside security at airports, insider threats, cyber security, harmonisation of passenger name record (PNR) and advance passenger information (API) requirements and airport checkpoints.

    Junaic said:  “Aviation is the ‘business of freedom’—a catalyst for social and economic development that improves people’s lives. Paradoxically, the good that aviation brings also makes it a target for terror. No entity has all the answers.

    “That’s why partnerships are essential to address our major security challenges with the speed needed to stay a step ahead of those who would do our industry harm. These efforts must keep four common principles in focus: risk-based measures, the implementation of global standards, capacity building to support the mutual recognition of standards, and information sharing among governments and with industry.”

    Junaic added: “Timely and accurate information needed to support risk-assessments when overflying conflict zones.’’