Federal Government has emphasised that safety in the sky is non-negotiable and that it is looking to overhaul and streamline security apparatus at the nation’s airports for more effective security surveillance and enforcement.
This is just as government has also stated that the nation’s aviation sector has the capacity to grow, adding that it was already showing signal that it could contribute to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transport, and Hadi Sirika, minister of state, Aviation, made these known in separate occasions, with both agreeing that achieving safety and security in the aviation industry is the key driver to growing the sub sector rapidly.
Speaking recently, Amaechi said safety and security had become pertinent because of the myriad of security challenges globally, stating that the country was trying to be proactive to forestall such challenges.
According to Amaechi, adequate technology will be used to bolster the security at the nation’s airports and that it will also be complemented with customised training of personnel.
“Subsequently, in accordance with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) and International Aviation Organization (ICAO) annex 17, the Federal Government is looking to overhaul and streamline the security apparatus at the nation’s airports for a seamless and more effective security surveillance and enforcement.
“This will also improve facilitation and passenger experience. The use of appropriate technology and customised training for security personnel will play a major role in this process. The purpose of all these measures is to work smarter in achieving stated goals and targets.
“With regards to the operators and service providers, they must operate within the ambit of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and International Civil Aviation Organisation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS) or face the full wrath of the law and extant regulations. This has become necessary, as we cannot afford any mishap. Ladies and gentlemen, safety and security is non-negotiable,” Amaechi said.
Meanwhile, Sirika, while reacting to an incursion and barricade by passengers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, agreed with his transport counterpart, disclosing that the government was determined to deliver a more vibrant and efficient aviation sector in 2016 by making safety, security and efficiency its watchword with regards to transportation.
