According to Jean-Claude Waffo who is leading the team, the audit will
access the state’s capabilities to oversee regulations as well as ensure
compliance. A further boost of confidence came earlier last week when the
American Transportation Security Administration, TSA, which has just completed
a security assessment tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA)
gave the airport high marks.
The U.S. team also commended FAAN
for what it called, ‘consistency methodology’ in the implementation of TSA’s
security procedures which are of ICAO standards. The U.S.’s TSA assessment has,
therefore, provided an elixir to a prior sense
of trepidation. The airports have benefited from the upgrade of
Air Navigational Services as well as Aerodrome and Ground Aids, enabling a fine
mix of technology and human interface.
General public perception on safety
issues also resulted in the provision of a modern laboratory for Accident and
Incident Investigation and prevention. In all these, the provision of relevant
legislation to align the sector with best practices is a continuous
exercise. The airports have received massive improvements with security
scanners installed at various passenger processing and baggage handling
points.
The highly sophisticated scanners
can detect liquid explosives and other potentially offensive materials. New
access control and monitoring systems, with tighter access control procedures
have been put in place to keep away unauthorised persons from
sterile areas of the airport. The new CCTV (Close Circuit Television)
systems have also been installed to enhance security at the airport.
Security around the perimeter
fencing has been reinforced to keep out unwanted access to runways. FAAN has
increased motorised perimeter patrols, and installed remote electronic intruder
monitoring systems and security tower observation. The parameter access road
has been reconstructed in order to facilitate patrols and enhance security.
Early last year, the management of
MMIA introduced an e-tag system for taxi cab and a functional Wi-Fi to enhance
connectivity. Fire-fighting tenders have been procured as well
as robust training programmes within and outside our shores. The new
international terminal under construction will be delivered at the close of
2016, with additional capacity of five million passengers. The present terminal
which is about four decades old has not been left to its fate. It received a
new lease of life following an ambitious facility upgrade.
The expanded terminal area has
added 42 metres in length to the Arrivals and Departures areas at both ends of
the terminal, adding 5,830 square metres to the terminal. Simply put, the
cramped lounge areas were expanded to four times its original size, creating
more space for passenger mobility and processing thereby enhancing passenger
satisfaction.
The newly created ‘E wing’
of the Arrival area alone occupies 2,915 sq metres. A new luggage
conveyor belts systems with a handling capacity of 1,000 passengers per hour
has made the terminal truly customer centric. The ongoing project of
creating the Arrival and Departure points on two floors at the terminal will
soon be completed to make for easier security processing at the airport.
The international lounges and transit hotel also nearing completion will make
the Lagos Airport, a regional hub to behold.
The capacity of the Lagos airport
is further reflected in the recent influx of more foreign airlines coming into
the country to do business. These include The Emirates, Royal Jordanian, Ethiopian
and Etihad airlines. Lagos remains favourite of American brands like Virgin,
Delta and United Airline.
After operating for 80 years in
Nigeria, a British Airways Chief, Paolo
De Renzis says Nigeria remains very strong for its operations. Various
safety and security features are already in-built into the design of the new
terminal under construction. As the team undertakes its assignment, the
imprints of the cumulative experience of a man who was, at various times,
Airport Manager, Director of Security, Director of Procurement and Director of
Projects will be so apparent. Saleh
Dunoma, an engineer and MD/CEO of FAAN remains a relic of experience and
professionalism.
The passion and commitment of
Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport and Sen. Hadi Sirika, Minister of State,
Aviation have translated into achievable goals. (Guardian)
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