Aviation Security Remains Crucial To Combating COVID-19 in Nigeria – Sirika

Minister of aviation, Hadi Sirika has emphasized the need to strengthen aviation security as part of efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

The minister, represented by Talba Alkali, director of safety and technical policy at the aviation ministry spoke on Thursday in Abuja at the National Aviation Security (AVSEC) Day and Awards 2021 themed, ‘Professional WorkForce: Prerequisite for Building an Effective Security Culture.’

The event aims at promoting security culture at airports in the country in line with the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)’s declaration of the year 2021 as the year of security culture (YOSC).

Sirika said: “Nationally, aviation security remains vital in combating the existing COVID-19 pandemic, sustaining security and safety in the aviation industry and a link in the security chain of the nation,”

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“In line with this, areas identified for improvement as well as the way forward in furtherance of the Sustainable Development of Air Transport in Nigeria include liberalisation of market access and air carrier ownership and control.

“Others are cooperation throughout the air transport value chain, consumer protection, fair competition, Security and facilitation, funding for infrastructure and intermodal integration, support to remote or peripheral destinations and capacity-building for qualified personnel.

“Also, support to the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM), fleet modernisation and adherence to international instruments.”

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He added: “In view of the above, the federal government of Nigeria has made a number of achievements in this regard: the commissioning of ultra-modern airport terminals in Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt, while the Lagos and Enugu terminals await commissioning,”

“The commissioning of these terminals has aided the decongestion of the terminals on one hand while improving aviation security surveillance and patrol systems at the airports.

“The successful training of over 258 AVSEC officers who have undergone intensive training on STP 123 and other security-related training at Kano and Abuja is a testimony of our resolve to ensure skilled and professional manning level at our airports.”