March 11, (THEWILL) – A team of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) auditors, on Monday, arrived in Abuja, Nigeria, to commence the 2024 ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) through the Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) for Lagos and Abuja airports.
This is just as stakeholders in the nation’s aviation industry have expressed hope that there will not be a significant security concern in the process of the ICAO audit.
The USAP CMA, which will run for two (2) weeks, will terminate on the 22nd March, 2024, and will cover the following areas: Inflight 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).
Members of the four-man team are Callum Vine (team lead), James Mabala, Tebogo Mphela and Alagie Jeng.
In his opening remarks, the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo, welcomed the team of auditors to Nigeria for the all-important mission.
According to the Minister, the Universal Security Audit Programme 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 defences against evolving threats and vulnerabilities.
Mr Keyamo, who was represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, while commending 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 endeavours, expressed hope that there will not be a Significant Security Concern.
The Acting Director General of Civil Aviation, Nigeria, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, while delivering his opening address, welcomed the ICAO auditors to the 2024 USAP CMA audit, stating that the objectives of the ICAO USAP CMA are to improve global aviation security (AVSEC) 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 indicates the sustainability of the State’s AVSEC system.
Other objectives outlined by the Ag. DGCA are to 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. Capt. Najomo said that, as part of the on-site auditing process, both Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja have been selected as airports where verification of the implementation of security measures will be carried out.
He, however, expressed optimism that Nigeria will surpass its last rating with 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.
The Ag. DGCA promised to provide support and maximum cooperation towards ensuring a hitch-free exercise. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is the nation’s statutory regulatory Authority responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP).
To ensure Nigeria excels in the exercise which was last held in 2015, the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO) conducted Aviation Security (AVSEC) Mock Audit in both Lagos and Abuja airports between 4th and 7th March, 2024.
About the Author
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
