Safety, security audit of airports underway, says NCAA

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it has concluded plans to embark on the aidit of airports nationwide to close identified safety and security gaps at such facilities.

Its Director General, Captain Musa Nuhu disclosed this in an interview in Lagos.

According to Nuhu the audit has become compelling because of Nigeria’s awful outing at the recent Internation Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Universal Operations Safety Audit, where it scored 70 percent , a shortgall from the 75 percent passmark and global average.

Nuhu said :” It is almost impossible to go above 70 per cent with ICAO if you have not done your airport certification. We have not done our airport certification in Nigeria for the five international airports due to some challenges and difficulties.

“There is no need for me to sign airport certification when I know our airports do not meet the requirements. That will be more disastrous for Nigeria.

“I think the system needs to be fair to everybody. We have difficulties, we have challenges, yes, but we are going to work on them. We have a solid ground, we have a solid foundation on which we will be work with the entire industry stakeholders – agencies and private sector.

” We will work together and under the guidance of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, get to where we are supposed to be, we are on our way there.”

On the difficulty on securing recertification for  Lagos and Abuja Airports , Nuhu said the initial certification of the two aerodromes for three years, has since elapsed.

He clarified :” You give certification for three years and it elapses. Unfortunately, the airport operator for many reasons have challenges and they could not meet the requirements for certification. It is worrisome, but we are working with them and the point you raised, certification of some airports have been going on for longer than necessary, but NCAA cannot give certification when you don’t meet the requirements.”

On safety and security concerns raised on Kaduna Airport, the NCAA Director General said :”  There are audits reports on all the airports. I have to check its present situation. Some airports have deficiencies that have not been rectified. We will ensure that they are rectified and they meet the minimum standards before they operate.

“The issue of Kaduna Airport, I don’t exactly think it is due to the status of the airport. There were security issues between the airport and town and people were really scared. We are all aware of that. Things have improved now and I am sure the state government too is taking measures to ensure they block all these challenges.

” I think the challenge there is more of security, but the situation has improved significantly and we will certainly look at the facilities at the airport.

“After this audit, in fact, we are going to check all the airports; it’s not only the international airport. All the airports in Nigeria, we are going to audit them and see their situations.

” Any airport that has a deficiency, it will be downgraded  to the level of status they are.”