NCAA Tasks Airport Police on Incidents of Stowaway
Chinedu Eze
The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Muhtar Usman has charged the new Commissioner of Police, Airport Command, Taiwo Lakanu to stop forthwith the incessant cases of stowaways at the airports.
He also urged Lakanu to ensure that the close-circuit television (CCTV) mounted at strategic places at the airport are working.
Usman said this while receiving the new commissioner of Police at his Aviation House Office, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at the weekend.
At the meeting, the DG expressed serious concern over the security challenges at the airport, especially the stowaway cases, crowd control and touting at the terminals.
He urged the Police Chief to ensure concerted efforts were made to improve security at the airport and to deploy his entire arsenal to curb this menace that is capable of creating negative impression on the safety of the industry.
Usman added that security and safety are the hallmark of the global aviation industry and therefore should not be compromised in any form.
He further stated that this has become more important as Nigeria is preparing for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Security Audit very soon.
He reiterated the need for the regulatory authority and Airport Police Command to work together to ensure impregnable security network within and around the airports.
“As far as ICAO is concerned, Nigeria is to be audited and we are expected to meet the ICAO Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs).”
Usman further advocated for continuous surveillance on the movement of passengers at the ramp, promising to ensure the provision of CCTV Cameras, patrol vans and other security equipment to assist in exterminating touting and insecurity around the airport.
The Director-General recalled his warm relationship with the CP’s predecessor and pledged to sustain same with the new one for the good of the industry.
He concluded by urging the Police boss not to hesitate to bring to his attention any impediment to his assignment.
CP Lakanu thanked the NCAA boss and assured him that the command would carry out regular patrol and surveillance around the airports.