The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has designated the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Training School as ICAO Aviation Security Training Centre (ASTC). In this short interview at the official inauguration of and presentation of the certificate of recognition to the ASTC in Lagos, the managing director of FAAN, Mr. Saleh Dunoma says the centre will not only contribute to the development of aviation security in Nigeria but also attract patronage from the West and Central African sub-regions and its environs.
Ime Akpan
Aviation tripod
If you look at the entire aviation, it is based on three major items—safety, security and support certification. Today, we are happy that this school is certified by ICAO as a training centre for the West and Central African sub-regions. We are happy that we have reached a stage in which aviation security is being improved globally.
Efforts to certify other airports
As you can see this is one of the airports. Today we are commissioning this; there are so many other airports. We are doing this to improve the lot in the aviation industry. At the last Airports Council International (ACI) meeting, Abuja Airport came out as the most improved in safety. So, there are so many things happening at our airports. In 2019, we will continue to put more efforts.
Personnel provide training
There are several trainings going on all over the world and FAAN is one centre that is commissioned today. Of course, there are several trainings that will be organised from here. It is not only for FAAN staff; it is also for the region, West and Central African sub-regions. Prior to this time, the school was being used as our internal training facility; internal in the sense that there were programmes organised in order to train our staff not only in aviation security but also other departments enjoyed the facility. But today, the school has moved a step ahead by becoming a centre of excellence for aviation training.
We have the manpower. You know, our manpower can certify people; people that are certified by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and approved by ICAO. We have so many classrooms depending on what kind of course we are providing because the courses are going to be professional.
Cost effectiveness
The big advantage is that we will train our people in large numbers at cheaper cost. Other people, who hitherto these course were provided maybe in Canada, Singapore and other places, will be provided here. So, we can sponsor as many people as possible. And also from our neighbouring countries, people from West and Central Africa can come here. It is cheaper for them to come here.
