US aviation team begins security assessment of Lagos airport
A three-man United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) team has commenced a routine assessment of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja.
Spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye disclosed that the team’s visit was to observe the implementation of Aviation Security (AVSEC) measures and to also conduct inspection on recommended TSA security procedures for its air carriers (Delta Airlines).
He stated that the TSA’s Annual Airport Assessment visit had since begun on the January 28th to February 1, 2019.
He listed members of the TSA team are Laura Loya (team lead), Edward Cloniger and Mitch Mankowski, adding that the team came on similar assessment visit last year.
As a matter of policy, the Transportation Security Administration of United States of America on an annual basis visits countries where American airlines operate.
While welcoming the team at the Aviation House, Director General of the Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman promised NCAA’s cooperation and support towards accomplishing their assignment. He expressed the Authority’s readiness to close in real time any open items that may be noticed.
His words, “Safety and security is the most crucial element of civil aviation, NCAA will continue to collaborate with stakeholders in ensuring safe and secure flight operations”.
With the certification of the two airports, Nigeria became the only country in Africa to have two of its airports certified by its Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Aerodrome certification is one of the requirements set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and it’s one of the critical safety targets set by the Abuja Ministerial Declaration of July 2012, which mandated all African states to certify their international airports.
Certification is also an enabler for the attainment of a regional hub, which Nigeria desires for Lagos and Abuja Airports.
Before any airport is certified, it must scale five stages of assessments, which include security, safety and equipment. The two airports achieved the feat before they were handed with the certificates.
MMIA, which commenced operations in 1979, got its certification after 11 years of processes, having commenced in 2006 while that of Abuja was achieved 15 years after the airport was opened for operations by the government.
Lagos Airport was certified in September 2017 while the Abuja Airport got its certification in November of the same year.
The certification did not only indicate that the airports were safer, but ensured that they are more efficient and profitable, stressing that staff morale has the tendency to increase due to enhancement of knowledge and competency.
Following the certification of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, there are indications that more airports are set to be certified in 2019 by the NCAA in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation safety standards.
The General Manager, Corporate Communications, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, who made this known recently, said at least one airport would be certified this year.
She said, “There are certain conditions that must be met before an airport is certified and before Lagos and Abuja Airports were certified two years ago, we had to fulfil all these conditions and before any other airport would be certified, same conditions, too have to be met.
“Recently, a team from ICAO came around during the Airport Excellence training, which was held in Nigeria, the team went to Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu Airports. I can assure you that this year; one or more airports would also be certified after we have fulfilled all the conditions.”
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