NCAA Approves 22 Airports Security Programmes, Audits 18 Foreign Airlines

Posted by African Examiner Aviation, Featured, Latest Headlines Tuesday, April 29th, 2014

Kayode Adelowokan

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, (NCAA), has approved Security Programs for 22 Airports in the country in line with Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation Part 17 requirements and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP).

According to the General Manager, Public Affairs NCAA Mr. Fan Ndubuoke, the Airport Security Programme (ASP) was reviewed intermittently and subject to International Civil Aviation Organisation, (ICAO’s) amendment of Annex 17 in response to the global threat to civil aviation.

Ndubuoke, also said the Security Programme was similarly reviewed taking cognizance of the prevailing local threats and this will lead to further examination of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) or security directives to the industry.

“Suffice it to inform, that Security Programmes are written by Airports and Aircraft Operators, Caterers, Ground Handling companies and other stakeholders. Thereafter, this is submitted to the regulatory authority, NCAA, which is the appropriate authority responsible for aviation security in the country.” The statement reads.

He explained that Aviation Security Programme (ASP) provide measures and procedures on safeguarding the airport, aircraft, crew and properties against acts of unlawful interference.

“NCAA provides guidelines for the development of the Airport Security Programme (ASP) which is a requirement of ICAO Annex 17 standard 3.2.1 states that each contracting state shall require an airport serving civil aviation to establish, implement and maintain a written airport security programme appropriate to meet the requirements of NCASP.’’

Meanwhile, wholesale security audit has been conducted on 18 foreign and local airlines operating in the country.

The audit was based on emerging threats, previous findings and incidents to forestall reoccurrences. It can be annual or bi – annual.

The NCAA said all holders of an Approved Security Programme (ASP) were periodically audited to ascertain the level of compliance of airlines adding that it was carried out with the guidelines from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation part 17.

Other parameters were the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP), security directives and other benchmarks.

The authority stated that at the conclusion of the audit, the airline was mandated to submit a Corrective Action Plan (CAP) outlining measures that will be taken within a specific time frame to address the findings.

To ensure all operators and stakeholders are in tune with adequate security measures, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),Aviation Security Unit of the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airport Standards[DAAS] conducts aviation security awareness training for them on regular basis.