The Federal Government has said it is working on addressing challenges related to damaged, incomplete and non-existent perimeter fences at Nigerian airports because as the first layer of defence, airport perimeters will minimise attacks, prevent incursion and enhance general security.
This is just as it has revealed plans to construct shooting ranges at major airports in as part of measures to train aviation security personnel in the industry.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika made these disclosures while declaring the maiden edition of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Airports Council International (ACI) Africa, Security Week open in Abuja on Monday.
The minister, who was represented by the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt Musa Nuhu said the moves it is making is geared towards ensuring that civil aviation in the country does not suffer acts of unlawful interference and security violations.
Sirika said ” We are working with FAAN and other stakeholders to quickly actualize the approval of the FEC for Aviation Security personnel to bear arms… we are currently addressing the challenges related to damaged, incomplete and non-existent perimeter fences at Nigeria because as the first layer of defence, airport perimeters will minimise attacks, prevent incursion and enhance general security.”
On his part, Managing Director of FAAN, Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu said FAAN is strengthening its collaboration with host communities towards building a robust security culture in and around the airports.
He also highlighted that aviation is technology driven and so the acquisition of new security equipment to improve on the older systems of doing things was ongoing.
Yadudu said, “Aviation is technology driven. State of the art screening and surveillance systems are currently replacing old and epileptic systems in order to improve efficiency and assure satisfactory customer experience while enhancing security of flights, crew and passengers”
He added that “the Authority has strengthen its collaboration with host communities more than ever before and will continue to constructively engage them as critical partners in our journey towards building a robust security culture in and around our airports. Our security communication is receiving the needed attention for operational efficiency and the next generation of AVSEC instructors are being identified, developed and certified.”
Also speaking, FAAN Director of Aviation Security Services, Group Captain Usman Abubakar (rtd) said government should consider the formation a Rapid Response Squad capable of providing timely and professional interventions in any crisis and distress situations to arrest the ubiquitous and unconventional pattern of the new sets and levels of potential security threats against civil aviation in Nigeria and the Sahel/Sub-Saharan region as a whole.
He said ” considering the size, challenges and technological advancements, it has become very important to draw management’s kind attention towards the approval of additional General Managers position in line with the Directorate’s restructured organogram.”
