Federal government has approved that airport security officers can now carry gun
- The new aviation security arrangement will take the form of the United States’ Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
With the fleeing of Boko Haram insurgents from Sambisa forest, the federal government has approved that security personnel at the nation’s airports will now bear arms as a measure to improve the general security at the airports and guard against any possible terror attacks.
Federal government approves guns for airport security officers The government also assured that Nigeria will have a national carrier before the end of this year.
In a related development, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the completion of Kaduna airport terminal building at the cost of N1 billion.
Minister of state for aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed these to state
house correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja. Sirika asserted that the federal government is very serious about aviation security, saying that, just last week, the president approved that aviation security personnel should bear arms.
house correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja. Sirika asserted that the federal government is very serious about aviation security, saying that, just last week, the president approved that aviation security personnel should bear arms.
He explained that the new aviation security arrangement will take the form of the United States’ Transportation Security
Administration (TSA).
Administration (TSA).
Sirika said: “So we are trying to make them take the form and
shape of TSA of the US with K-9 dogs, handcuffs, the guards, the
batons, light weapons, etc.
The minister of interior is helping us
in that regard, with the directive of Mr. President.
in that regard, with the directive of Mr. President.
“They are partnering with us and other stakeholders to keep our
airports secure. All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders’
meeting.”
airports secure. All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders’
meeting.”
On the issue of national carrier, the minister said it will be wholly
private sector-driven.
private sector-driven.
He contended that, with the exception of Ethiopian Airline, it had
been proved that government does not do well with this kind of
venture.
been proved that government does not do well with this kind of
venture.
He said: “When we came in, we were very clear on our targets
and goals and what we set out to achieve. And we did say that
Nigeria does not have a national airline. The national airline will be
one that the government will have no hand in; normally it can
have three per cent. It will be private sector-led, private sector-
driven.
and goals and what we set out to achieve. And we did say that
Nigeria does not have a national airline. The national airline will be
one that the government will have no hand in; normally it can
have three per cent. It will be private sector-led, private sector-
driven.
“We are going to have a national carrier; it is on course, and
because it is a Public-Private Project (PPP) thing, it has to go
through IC and C, and it also has to follow all the due process. So
it is time consuming, but I hope that, very soon, before the end
of the year, we will have a very strong, viable national airline.
because it is a Public-Private Project (PPP) thing, it has to go
through IC and C, and it also has to follow all the due process. So
it is time consuming, but I hope that, very soon, before the end
of the year, we will have a very strong, viable national airline.
“For me, if any airline will have the capacity to deploy several
aircraft with seamless operation, non-disruptive, provide the
service, go the long haul, take advantage and give other
international airlines a run for their money, we don’t need to get
involved; it is because there is none.”
aircraft with seamless operation, non-disruptive, provide the
service, go the long haul, take advantage and give other
international airlines a run for their money, we don’t need to get
involved; it is because there is none.”
The aviation minister recalled that the Nigerian Airways used to
do all of this, but that in the wisdom of the then government, it
liberalised the sector, adding that because of the absence of
Nigeria’s capacity, most of these airlines came and left as fast as
they came in.
do all of this, but that in the wisdom of the then government, it
liberalised the sector, adding that because of the absence of
Nigeria’s capacity, most of these airlines came and left as fast as
they came in.
Sirika, however, gave the assurance that the government was
addressing all of these concerns.
addressing all of these concerns.
“We are going to establish this national carrier and it will give
good service. This is the solution, because Nigeria has the market:
good service. This is the solution, because Nigeria has the market:
we are 180 million (in population); we are sitting in West Africa,
and in the West African market, we are 450 million (in
population) and Nigeria is the major player."
Sirika also revealed that FEC had approved the completion of the
Kaduna terminal building for the sum of N1 billion. He noted that
the contract for the project was awarded in 2011 and work
commenced in 2012.
Kaduna terminal building for the sum of N1 billion. He noted that
the contract for the project was awarded in 2011 and work
commenced in 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment