Nigeria Scales Global Aviation Safety, Security Audit

Chinedu Eze

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has cleared Nigeria in the just-concluded Security Audit Programme, the Continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA).

This was announced at the weekend by the Team Lead, Callum Vine, at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Headquarters in Abuja.
The audit which started about two weeks ago, focused on critical elements that ensure efficient security apparatus in air travel, especially at the Abuja and Lagos international airports, which include skilled personnel, equipment, facilities as well as airport infrastructure and signals.

In a statement signed by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Obiageli Orah, and made available to THISDAY, the agency explained that the objective of the USAP-CMA is to promote global aviation security through continuous auditing and monitoring of member states’ aviation security performance.

Such monitoring, the Director stated, is to enhance member states’ aviation security compliance and oversight capabilities by regularly and continuously obtaining and analyzing data on member states’ aviation security performance.
These include the level of implementation of the critical elements of an aviation security oversight system and the degree of compliance with the Standards of Annex 17 — Security and the relevant security-related Standards of Annex 9 — Facilitation, as well as associated procedures, guidance material, and security-related practices.

According to the Team Lead, Nigeria scored very well in most of the key indicators.
He hailed the country for having very robust policies and agencies with clear mandates on airport security.
He also acknowledged the speed with which the personnel dealt with identified deficiencies without complaints.
He explained that the full report of the audit would be made available to Nigeria by ICAO within 60 days, after which the country would have 30 days to make comments.

In her speech at the debriefing, the Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said the authority would use the results of the audit as a roadmap for continuous improvement in the services it renders to airport users and stakeholders.
Kuku urged all stakeholders to collaborate closely, share best practices, and remain vigilant in upholding the highest standards of security in the Nigerian aviation industry. She thanked all government agencies, security bodies, government institutions, and heads of aviation agencies for their contributions to this incredible achievement.