BARBARA BAKO, Abuja.
The Airport Council International on Monday began the inspection of all security device at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja for safety of air travelers The ACI established in 1991 as the only global trade representative of the world’s airports represents airports’ interests with governments and international organisations such as the International Civil Aviation Organisation and develops standards, policies and recommended practices for airports.
The leader of the ACI inspectors, Brahim Lakhlifi, said his team had earlier inspected the Lagos airport In an exercise that requires no certification at the end of the assessment. He said, “This exercise aims to improve the existing system. It is to assist our members on how we can improve through the best practices that we developed at the ACI. “We came in last week and we assessed the Lagos airport.
We are here for Abuja. If FAAN (Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria) wishes to have follow-up, they will inform us and we will do our best about it. Generally we do this inspection every two years. “Also, it is important to state that there is no certification in security. We are here to identify if there is any risk and to know what will be the best mitigation measure against such risk.
I was also at Enugu and Kaduna airports for safety reviews.” The Regional General Manager, North Central/Abuja Airport, Mahmud Sani, said the inspection was necessary after the certification of the NAIA in November last year by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
He said, “The (Abuja) airport was certified in November 2017 by the NCAA, which means that we have conformed with the acceptable standard of airport operations. “It is on this basis that we’ve continued to follow up and to ensure that we remain afloat.
That explains this ACI visit on airport security. “The ACI team is going to X-ray every part of security in the airport. They were invited by FAAN. They have already done that of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos last week and are now at the Abuja airport. For now it is strictly security inspection of the airports.” Sani reiterated that the exercise would signify that the Abuja airport was safe, adding that inspectors from the United Kingdom also visited the facility last week.
He said, “We want to reassure our esteemed passengers and airport users that the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport is safe. Last week, inspectors from the United Kingdom visited here as well, which also is a regular activity for them and they gave us a pat on the back. “So our airport in Abuja is secured and we don’t have any issue with our perimeter fence and all our security agencies conform with the norms. They work in synergy with us and with that I can guarantee you that Abuja airport is secure.”
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