By Chinelo Obogo
The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said that Nigeria performed well in the just concluded International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Security Audit Programme the continuous Monitoring Approach (USAP-CMA).
The Director, Public Affairs and Consumer Protection of FAAN, Obiageli Orah, said this was revealed at the weekend during the audit debrief by the team lead, Callum Vine, at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) headquarters, Abuja.
She said the objective of the USAP-CMA is to promote global aviation security through continuous auditing and monitoring of member states’ aviation
security performance.
She said Mr. Vine informed the leadership of the sector that Nigeria scored high in most of the key indicators and he praised the country for having very robust policies and agencies with clear mandates on airport security. He also acknowledged the speed with which the personnel dealt with identified deficiencies without complaints. He explained that the full report of the audit would be made available to Nigeria by ICAO within 60 days, after which there will be 30 days for the country to make comments. He also added that after this, the country will be expected to file its plan to meet compliance with the organisation.
In her speech at the debriefing, the Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, said the Authority would use the results of the audit as a roadmap for continuous improvement in the services it renders to airport users and stakeholders. Mrs. Kuku urged all stakeholders to collaborate closely, share best practices, and remain vigilant in upholding the highest standards of security in the Nigerian aviation industry.
She thanked all government agencies, security bodies, government institutions, and heads of aviation agencies for their contributions to this incredible achievement.
In attendance at the debrief were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace; Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, who represented the Minister and the Acting Director General, Nigeria Civil Aviation (NCAA), Captain Chris Najomo.