The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has confirmed the compliance of Nigeria's premier airport, Lagos Murtala Mohammed International Airport with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards on aviation security.

The TSA, which is a United States' government law enforcement agency responsible for security in all modes of transportation with the bulk of its efforts in aviation security, in its latest assessment, indicated that the aviation security of MMA complied with all the 25 (ICAO) standards on which it was audited.

The audit, which began last Monday, was completed on Friday by the TSA transportation security specialists comprising Messrs Rick Little and James Cardwell. They were assisted by two officials of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The team had, among others, looked into areas of access control, perimeter fencing, screening of passengers and cargo and on-duty card system. It expressed its satisfaction with the overall professional attitude and conduct of all aviation security staff at the airport.

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Babatunde Omotoba, who congratulated the management of FAAN on the outcome of the audit on Sunday in Lagos, reiterated that the Federal Government would not relent in its efforts at ensuring that all the nation's airports are compliant with all safety and security standards of ICAO.

The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun, who spoke in the same vein in Lagos on Sunday, said the TSA's latest position is a reassurance that FAAN's security personnel are well trained and could compete with their colleagues in other parts of the world. Mr. Aisuebeogun noted that the audit report further confirmed that the increased scrutiny at the MMA could check any possible infiltration of the airport by unwanted forces and guard against the potential threat of any aircraft operating to and out of the airport. "We strongly believe that this success will foster the NCAA's oversight functions and attainment of the FAA Cat 1 for our airports in March 2010," he added.

The FAAN boss, however, said the authority would implement the recommendations of the TSA on some areas, which it expressed minor reservation and of which the NCAA would take further oversight functions. The TSA team had also during the period assessed the operations of the American Delta Airlines, some other airline and cargo facilities in line with ICAO requirements. The TSA is a component of the United States' Department of Homeland Security. With state, local and regional partners, the TSA oversees security for highways, railroads, buses, mass transit systems, pipelines, ports and 450 US airports.

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written by Jehnavi, May 12, 2010

The U.S Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Janet Napolitano last week in Abuja said one of the ways to fight international terrorism was through coordinated efforts on many fronts globally. She was speaking during a meeting with top officials from across Africa and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to discuss ways to bolster global aviation security.

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