ICAO auditors start safety audit in Nigerian airports

A team of International Civil Aviation Organisation auditors arrived in Abuja on Monday to u the 2024 Universal Security Audit Programme through a Continuous Monitoring Approach for Lagos and Abuja airports.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by Director of Public Affairs & Consumer Protection at the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Michael Achimugu, on Monday.

The USAP CMA audit is expected to run for two weeks and end on March 22 2024, covering critical areas like inflight security, passenger and bqggage security, acts of unlawful interference, facilitation, legislation, training, quality control function, operations, and cargo, mail and catering.

Members of the four-man team are Callum Vine (team lead), James Mabala, Tebogo Mphela and Alagie Jeng.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, expressed the importance of the audit in upholding the highest standards of security in Nigeria’s aviation industry.

According to him, the audit represents a concerted effort to uphold the highest standards of security across all facets of Nigeria’s aviation industry.

Through rigorous assessments, comprehensive evaluations, and collaborative partnerships, Nigeria aims to fortify its defences against evolving threats and vulnerabilities.

Acting Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Chris Najomo, welcomed the ICAO auditors and highlighted the objectives of the USAP CMA.

He noted that the audit is to improve global aviation security through auditing and the continuous monitoring of AVSEC performance of member states by assessing the level of effective implementation of critical elements of the States’ AVSEC oversight system which indicates the sustainability of the State’s AVSEC system.

Najomo’s other objectives include evaluating how well the State complies with Annex 9 and 17 related to Facilitation and AVSEC standards, which are part of the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

“As part of the on-site auditing process, both Murtala Muhammed International Airport Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja have been selected as airports where verification of the implementation of security measures will be carried out,” the statement partly read.

He expressed confidence in Nigeria’s improved security measures since the last audit and assured maximum cooperation for a seamless exercise.

He, however, expressed optimism that Nigeria will surpass its last rating with the progressive transformations that have taken place in the industry since the last exercise and considering the level of commitment of the current administration to ensure secure, safe and efficient air transportation in Nigeria.

Najomo promised to provide support and maximum cooperation towards ensuring a hitch-free exercise.

Speaking with According Online, Achimugu said that the Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organization conducted an AVSEC Mock audit which was done last week between the 4th and 7th, of March 2024.

“We are aiming to maintain or surpass the impressive score of over 96 per cent achieved in the previous audit”, Achimugu noted.