Concern mounts as ICAO audits Nigeria’s aviation security June

Stakeholders in the aviation sector have expressed concern over security issues currently being faced by some Nigeria’s airports, even as the International Civil Aviation Organisaion (ICAO) is set to audit the sector’s security in the next three months.

Although Usman Muhktar, director-general of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), said that the aviation regulatory body was in the process of certifying the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, in line with the ICAO regulations, observers say that current security issues, especially as it concerns stowaways, may have serious impact on the audit.

The ICAO universal security programme was launched in January 1999 in response to widespread concerns expressed during the 29th ICAO members’ meeting.

ICAO assesses the effectiveness of implementation of the critical elements of a safety oversight system and the status of states’ implementation of safety-related ICAO standards and recommended practices (SARPs).

Apart from the stowaway incident recorded last year at Benin and Lagos airports, two others have again been recorded at Lagos airport last month.

The stakeholders are worried that the incident was becoming usual at Lagos airport which is supposed to be the flagship, adding that it shows that either the personnel were not up and doing or authorities have not put in place necessary security measures such as high perimeter fences.

“The recent one which involved a stowaway on a round trip between Lagos and New York and Lagos in the wheel well of an Arik airplane calls for concern, apart from the young boy that was arrested last month while trying to hide inside a compartment in an aircraft at Execujet terminal. One wonders if the men tasked to look after some sensitive sections at the airports are really doing so.

“We also know that some airports lack required perimeter fences just like the Shasha end of Lagos airport; the danger in all these is that a stowaway may not have the intention of just travelling to escape, he may have ulterior motive of either targeting the plane or airport. These are issues Nigeria needs to fix immediately if we tag these airports international”, Ayo Adewuni, an aviation security expert said.

But Muhktar at an interaction session with reporters on Tuesday assured that Nigeria was preparing for the ICAO security audit, adding that the country performed well in the last audit.

“We are hoping to improve on our records. Our industry has gone through ICAO audit before now and we did very well. This year, the authority has been proactive to ensure a successful audit”.

He however, cautioned airlines to ensure the safety of their aircraft. This was in veiled reference to the stowaway found in the undercarriage of an Arik flight penultimate week.

Not a few are worried that none of the nation’s airports are rated. Lack of good safety infrastructure, good security network among others has seriously affected the rating of the facilities.