Auditors from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) have declared that Nigeria’s aviation security system is in good order after an examination lasting nine days.
Team leader, Steven Neu, said he is impressed with the National Security Programme (NSP) as there are very minimal open items to be closed.
“Nigeria surpassed our expectations. We reviewed the 2008 audit before we commenced this exercise but we discovered there have been massive improvements in the security systems at the airports.
“To Nigeria’s credit all the minimal open items were closed immediately. The audit was focused on the eight critical elements,” he explained.
Neu said Nigeria is one of the first countries in the world to go through USAP Continuous Monitoring Assessment (CMA) Audit.
He commended all the security agencies at the airports – aviation security, Nigerian Police Airport Command, Department of State Security (DSS), Port Health Services, Air Force, Nigerian Drug Law enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and Quarantine Services.
Neu disclosed that draft findings and recommendations will be submitted to ICAO, which, after 60 days, will forward the USAP CMA audit report to Nigeria.
In 30 days, Nigeria will submit its comments on the audit, if any. Within another 30 days, it will submit to ICAO its Corrective Action Plan (CAP).
Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Director General, Muhtar Usman, thanked the auditors for a very thorough and transparent audit. He expressed delight that Nigeria’s performance is higher than in the previous audit in 2008.
He promised that Nigeria will not rest on its oars but will continue to ensure that its air transport operation is secure and safe.
The NCAA will soon commence preparation for ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) coming up in November.
USAP examines security at airports. The ultimate goal of USOAP is promoting global aviation safety through regular audit of safety oversight systems in ICAO member states.