A four-man team from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has arrived in Nigeria carry out security audit of the Lagos and Abuja airports under the 2024 ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) through Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA).
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said in a statement by its spokesman, Mr Michael Achimugu that the ICAO delegation is led by Callum Vine with James Mabala, Tebogo Mphela and Alagie Jeng as members.
The USAP CMA which ends on March 22, 2024 covers In-flight Security (IFS), Passenger and Baggage Security (PAX), Acts of Unlawful Interference (AUI), Facilitation (FAL), Legislation (LEG), Training (TRG), Quality Control Function (QCF), Operations (OPS) and Cargo, Mail and Catering (CGO).
The statement quoted the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo as saying that the USAP represents a concerted effort to uphold the highest standards of security across all facets of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
“Through rigorous assessments, comprehensive evaluations, and collaborative partnerships, Nigeria aims to fortify her defenses against evolving threats and vulnerabilities,” he said.
Keyamo who was represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, commended the dedication and diligence of all stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, security agencies, service providers and aviation security personnel whose unwavering commitment ensures the success of Nigeria’s aviation security.
For his part, the acting director general of civil aviation, Nigeria, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, explained that the objectives of the ICAO USAP CMA are “to improve global aviation security through auditing and the continuous monitoring of AVSEC performance of member states by assessing the level of effective implementation of critical elements of the States’ AVSEC oversight system which provides an indication of the sustainability of the State’s AVSEC system” and “assess the indicative degree of compliance of the State with Annex 9 and 17 bothering on Facilitation to the Convention on International Civil Aviation and AVSEC standards and security-related standards respectively.”
As part of the on-site auditing process, Najomo said the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja had been chosen as airports “where verification of the implementation of security measures will be carried out.”
He expressed optimism that Nigeria will surpass the last rating “owing to the “progressive transformations that have taken place in the industry since the last exercise and considering the level of commitment of the current administration to ensure secure, safe and efficient air transportation in Nigeria.”
