Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
FEDERAL Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has revealed improvements in security around the nation’s airports especially the ongoing upgrade of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and well as construction of bi-metal security fence with anti-climb and intrusion detection systems at various stages of completion around some of the nation’s airports.
This is just as the airport authority has procured new scanning security equipment with the latest technology capable of explosive and narcotics detection and is building its human capacity to match the technological advances.
Managing Director FAAN, Capt Hamisu Yadudu, made this known at the Annual Retreat of Aviation Security personnel in Benin City said these security improvements were needed to address the ever evolving and increasing security threats in the aviation industry.
The FAAN boss said the X-ray equipment to be introduced comprised of passenger Cabin baggage scanners, hold baggage scanners, body scanners and walk through metal detectors were being produced in factories and would be delivered on scheduled and deployed to all the five international airports and local ones.
Yadudu who was represented by the Director of security services, FAAN, Capt Usman Abubakar Sadiq, also said that the construction of bi-metal security fence with anti-climb and intrusion detection systems were on going in Benin, Ilorin, Owerri; Port Harcourt and Kaduna.
Further stating that upgrade of Close Circuit Television (CCTV) was on going in some airports and at various stages of completion, stressing that the Murtala Mohammed Airport Ikeja and four others would be ready soon while other airports are also being worked on.
Yadudu also charged security managers across airports the country to up their games at various levels and develop well-coordinated and robust measures in order to mitigate the worrisome sophisticated trend of terrorism, cyber-crime, insider threat among others.
The FAAN helmsman said that the huge investment in technological investment to improve security has also been matched by capacity building in terms of recruitment and training as a total of 727 aviation security and aerodrome rescue and firefighting officers were recruited, trained and graduated from the security Institute in Kaduna.
In his keynote address at the occasion, the Director of security services Capt. Usman Abubakar Sadiq said, the aim of the retreat was to seek ways primarily to enhance security at airports in view of global threats especially as it affects industry.
Others are challenges faced in the course of the enhancement of security and prospects to improve the quality of services rendered at airports through technology without compromising security.
Represented by the General Manager, Aviation Security services, Mr. Zakari Mahmuda, Capt. Sadiq commended the minister of aviation for his painstaking and commitment to the growth and development of the aviation industry particularly, the aviation security.
He said the approval by the government for AVSEC personnel to bear arms and the engagement of 500 AVSEC to existing manpower were all in a bid to improve security at airports.
Sadiq noted that as a result of the demonstration of professionalism by AVSEC and cooperation from stakeholders, major incidents have not been recorded in airports and also sued for more cooperation, collaborative efforts and synergy.
He requested for the provision of additional modern equipment especially patrol vehicles fitted with modem gadgets, provision of more manpower at the lower Cadre more night guards and replacement of aging X-ray machines.
The DSS expressed concern over the nuisance created by deportees and the menace of lunatics within the airport vicinity and called for the creation of more departments under the directorate to be headed by General Managers in order to cope with the volume of assignments for better performance and efficiency.
He also requested that the standard, compliance, intelligence and investigation and as well as liaison research and development units be upgraded to the status of departments to be headed by a General Manager.
