The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority says it has conducted a comprehensive security audit of 18 foreign and local airlines operating in the country.
A statement by the NCAA on Sunday explained that the audit was based on emerging threats, previous findings and incidents.
According to the statement, such audits are usually carried out either annually or bi-annually.
The NCAA said all holders of the Approved Security Programme were periodically audited to ascertain the level of compliance of the airlines with regulations, in line with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation Part 17.
The statement said, “At the conclusion of the audit, the airline is mandated to submit a corrective action plan outlining measures that will be taken within a specific time frame to address the findings.
“To ensure that all operators and stakeholders are in tune with adequate security measures, the NCAA Aviation Security Unit of the Directorate of Aerodrome and Airport Standards conducts aviation security awareness training for them on regular basis.”
Meanwhile, the NCAA has also announced the approval of a security programme for 22 airports in Nigeria.
This, the authority said, was in line with provisions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulation Part 17 and the National Civil Aviation Security Programme.
It explained that the Airport Security Programme was reviewed intermittently and subject to the International Civil Aviation Organisation’s, amendment of Annex 17, in response to the global threat to civil aviation.
It said, “The security programme is similarly reviewed taking cognisance of the prevailing local threats and this will lead to further examination of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme.
“Suffice to inform that the security programme is written by airports and aircraft operators, caterers, ground handling companies and other stakeholders, and is submitted to the NCAA, which is the appropriate authority responsible for aviation security in the country.
“The Aviation Security Programme provides measures and procedures on safeguarding the airport, aircraft, crew and properties against acts of unlawful interference.”
The statement also explained that the NCAA had provided guidelines for the development of the airport security programme, which was a requirement of ICAO and states.
According to the statement, it specifically provides that each contracting state shall require an airport to establish, implement and maintain a written airport security programme appropriate to meet the requirements of the NCASP.
