Nigeria reviews aviation security over Bin Laden

Posted by admin Headlines Thursday, May 5th, 2011

NIGERIA has taken three major steps to enhance safety and security at its airports as well as sign an aviation deal with a neighbouring country.

First, the Federal Government joined the rest of the world in tightening security at all airports to avert any reprisal attack from the followers of the fallen al-Qaeda leader, Osama Bin Laden, who was killed by the American Navy’s elite SEAL Team in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on Monday morning.

Secondly, the Federal Executive Council (FEC), which met in Abuja yesterday, selected two of the country’s six international airports for immediate facility upgrade.

The Council also approved the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and Cameroun.

And to legalise the initiative and ensure its prompt execution, FEC directed the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, to prepare the instrument of ratification and forward it to the National Assembly.

As part of measures to check any threat to aviation safety in the country by terrorists over Bin Laden’s death, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) yesterday informed passengers to be prepared for extra screening and possible delay at the airports.

FAAN Chief Executive, Richard Aisuebeogun, made the security move public at the presidential wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport during an inspection of major parts of the airport by helmsmen of the aviation organisations.

Aisuebeogun warned persons without clear activities at the airports to steer clear of them, stressing that any suspicious movement in and around airports, especially at the international airports, would not be tolerated, and suspects promptly arrested and prosecuted.

He said already, 138 people have been arrested and would be charged for loitering around the Lagos airport.

The FAAN chief appealed to passengers to bear with the aviation authorities, saying the existing screening would be jettisoned for a more strident one because of challenges thrown up by Bin Laden’s demise.

Also, NCAA’s Director-General, Dr. Harold Demuren, earlier this week summoned all aviation agencies and airlines to a security meeting where he alerted them of the need for them to enforce tougher security measures.

Under the new measures, any passenger who refuses screening at any of the international airports will be denied boarding no matter his or her status.

The American Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI) and Department of Homeland Security had issued a joint intelligence bulletin stating that the core al-Qaeda group is less likely to carry out attacks against the United States (U.S.) in the immediate future while its spin-off groups around the world could use Bin Laden’s death as an excuse to speed up plans for attacks.

At the meeting in Abuja, FEC ratified the contracts for the upgrade and rehabilitation of the airside and terminal building of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja and the new terminal building of the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport.

The government also approved the provision of facilities in the Maitama Extension District in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The ratifications and approvals are worth N46, 015,371.892.87.

The others due for facility upgrade are the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, Port Harcourt International Airport, Akanu Ibiam Airport, Enugu and Margaret Ekpo International Airport, Calabar.

The Council approved N22,365,371,892.87 for the airport projects while the provision of facilities at the Maitama District costs N23,650,000,000.

Minister of Information and Communications, Mr. Labaran Maku, told journalists after the cabinet meeting chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo that the BASA had been vetted by the Ministry of Justice and consented to the formalisation and execution of the pact.

Maku noted that “representatives of the two countries reviewed the subsisting BASA between the two countries on July 3 and 4, 2003 in Yaounde. After deliberations, the Council approved the agreement and directed the Ministry of Justice to prepare the instrument of ratification and forward it to National Assembly.”

The minister said while the rehabilitation of the airport in Abuja is to be handled by its builders, Julius Berger, at the cost of N9,512,910,559.09, that of Aminu Kano Airport, which cost N12, 852,461,333.78, was awarded to two foreign companies and a local contractor.

According to Maku, “the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, was built about 28 years ago and it has served the nation well. Some of the equipment and facilities have outlived their designed lifespan of 20 years. In view of its strategic location to the seat of the government of Nigeria, there is increasing number of passengers and air traffic activities. There is therefore need for the rehabilitation of the airside at the NAIA, Abuja, and upgrade of AFL to CAT III.”

He said Julius Berger has 24 months to complete the job, adding that it was selected because the company constructed it.

Maku disclosed that the Minister of FCT brought a memo to the Council seeking for the ratification of an anticipatory approval for the award of contract for the provision of engineering infrastructure in Maitama Extension District, Abuja’s new residential district in Phase One of the city.

The contract was awarded to Messrs Mangrovetech (Nigeria) Limited for N23,650,000,000 with a completion period of 36 months. It covers the provision of roads, electricity, water and sewage systems.

Responding to questions after the briefing, Aviation Minister, Mrs. Fidelia Njeze, said the reform in the sector would lead to the total upgrade of airport facilities in the country starting with the international airports.

She said the government would no longer tolerate the shabby treatment of Nigerians by both local and foreign airlines, adding that she had already informed them that government would sanction airlines that maltreat Nigerian passengers.

Also, the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, presented a memo to the Council on the creation of the United Nations (UN) entity known as “The UN Women,” adding that Prof. Joy Ogwu, the Nigerian High Commissioner to the world body, is the first President of its executive board.

-Guardianwp_posts