Nigeria’s clean bill on audit despite glaring defects
Despite scaling through the stiffest international aviation tests, stakeholders have urged government not to gloss over serious security challenges at Nigerian airports. WOLE SHADARE writes
With the ease at which Nigeria passes some of the stiffest tests by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the one conducted by the United States of America’s apex aviation regulatory body, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), one would think that all is well with the country’s aviation sector.
Kudos must, however, be given to the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of
Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) for working in synergy to save the country’s face.
The scaling of these hurdles since over seven years has helped to strengthen the faith in the sector in Nigeria and engender confidence despite some not too pleasant issues of graft and lack of very important facilities to aid air safety.
The irony
Some view it as an irony of some sorts, that the country continuously passes these tests even when certain things are lacking and not in place. Some would want to argue that not all nations have all the requirements for safe operation.
To them, what any nation needs are the basic facilities for airplanes to land and take-off. That is subject to debate.
Penultimate week, a four-man team from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) of the USA visited Nigeria to carry out a security audit of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) Lagos.
The team led by a Transportation Security Specialist (TSS) is expected to observe the implementation of aviation security measures put in place at the airport. Members will also exchange technical expertise in line with ICAO Annex 17 and international aviation security standard and best practices.
Director General of NCAA, Capt. Muhtar Usman who met the team in his office, told newsmen that the team would conduct inspections on the implementation of TSA security procedures of Arik Airline being the only Nigerian carrier that operates direct flight to the United States and that of Delta Airline and United Airline that currently operate flights in and out of Nigeria.
Vote of confidence
The team, however, passed a vote of confidence on the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos following the conclusion of a five-day security assessment of the facility.
Spokesman for the NCAA, Sam Adurogboye in a statement said that the team, “expressed satisfaction with the Corrective Action Plans put in place by the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria in respect of few opened items found at the airport”.
He said, “They praised the Authority’s consistency and methodology in the implementation of TSA applicable security procedures, which were of ICAO standards.
“They also noted that the accomplishment was a reflection of the sufficient training provided for the staff and the effective regulatory oversight of the industry by the NCAA”.
Areas and operations of the Lagos airport examined in the course of the assessment included airport operations and standards, quality control, access control point, passenger and baggage screening, screening equipment, airport contingency plan and airport security programme.
The team also conducted inspection of the implementation of TSA security procedures of some airlines that operate flights to and from the United States.
To further improve aviation security in the country, aviation security apparatus shares intelligence reports with foreign countries particularly those that may hamper the security of aircraft.
Paradigm shift
It would be recalled that the incident of 9/11, which changed the face of aviation globally brought about the restriction on sharp objects,
liquid, solid or powder substance and explosive materials on board the aircraft. In the aftermath of Abdulmutalab debacle, security at the airports and its environs was heightened.
Full Body Scanners and Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) were introduced and enforced in all the aircraft especially those going to America due to previous incidences.
The Aviation Security Portal (AVSEC Portal) is an avenue to disseminate information to facilitate appropriate response and closure when Open Items are communicated. To forestall any security threat, NCAA AVSEC mandates all airlines to review their security programme regularly so as to ensure safe operations.
Consequently, Nigeria initiated 100 per cent pat down screening during this period of Boko Haram, which include primary and secondary screening for both passengers and non- passengers to foster security at the airport.
According to the NCAA, the aviation security department has commenced outstation schedule inspection on airlines so as to ensure compliance on security procedures according to NCAA guidelines.
As a result, NCAA operates a uniform security system for both domestic and International airlines in the area of training, creating awareness and other security programmes with the assistance of EU and IATA.
Issues that emanated in the last three months do not rekindle hope in aviation security around many Nigerian airports.
The many examples
The suspension of three top officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria [FAAN] at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport ,Abuja, recently, by the minister of state, aviation following a serious safety breach at the airport, should not come as a surprise to Nigerians because of the serious security and safety challenges in many of Nigeria’s airports.
What should be of interest to Nigerians and what will surprise many will be what the Federal Ministry of Aviation would do with the final report when submitted.
The suspension of the three top officials of the NAI Airport followed a bizarre incident at the airport in Abuja recently when some passengers bulldozed their ways unto the tarmac and prevented a Turkish Aircraft from taking off in gross breach of safety regulations.
Reason? The airline brought the passengers without their luggage, an action that provoked them into taking the law into their hands. Preventing an aircraft from taking off on schedule, or any unlawful seizure of an aircraft by any person or group is a gross breach of airport security.
The action is also illegal, and a serious violation of international aviation protocol as stipulated by ICAO standard. The conduct of the passengers resembles a typical local motor park mentality, and must not be allowed to repeat itself.
This serious incident should be instructive to many decent Nigerians for several reasons. First, it raises a serious question about the issue of security in Nigerian airports.
This strange occurrence in Nigeria’s capital city is a repeat of other strange incidents across the country. In early July 2005, an Air France with 196 passengers on board ran into stray cows on the runway of the Port Harcourt International Airport. The Airbus 330 flew in from France.
Luckily, there was no loss of life or any injury. Much of the injury was on the image of Nigeria. It took officials FAAN three hours to round up the surviving cows, and clear the runway of debris of the seven cows killed following the collision.
In reaction, the federal government then directed the perimeter fencing of the airports. Several years after this directive was given, some of the airports are still not fully fenced and remained porous.
Shortcomings
Also, some Nigerian airports still harbour touts who hang around and perpetrate one dubious deal or the other, or hawk foods that are not properly preserved.
This is unacceptable, especially in view of the fact that the aviation sector remains one of the prime targets of terrorists worldwide.
So, allowing people to loiter around airports without proper clearance is a blueprint for disaster. Experts, who spoke to woleshadare.net said the issue of perimeter must be implemented as a matter of urgency in all local and international airports, adding that this will be a wise and proactive move because a stitch in time saves nine.
Aviation Security Consultant, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), said perimeter fencing would also ensure that unauthorised persons especially insurgents and terrorists are kept away from runways and restricted operational areas.
The head of security at the NAI Airport, before he was suspended, in his preliminary response to the incident where passengers prevented a Turkish airline from taking off, complained of inadequate staff.
He said there were only 192 security men taking care of the entire airport, so, the irate passengers overpowered the few security men on duty.
Conclusion
Airlines, especially foreign ones, must be compelled to treat Nigerian- bound passengers with respect and accord them all the privilege that other international passengers enjoy.
That includes ensuring that luggage are properly cleared and shipped on the appropriate flights. In litigation conscious societies, the Turkish airlines will dare not carry a passenger without his luggage.
