By Abiose Adelaja Adams

After a nine-day audit of Nigerian airports, the team of International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO auditors declared that security systems at the country’s airports have greatly improved from 2008 till date.

The team leader, Steven Neu Nigeria had surpassed their 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,’’ he added.

Neu, who was very impressed that the National Security Programme, scoredt 90 percent, said there were very minimal open items to be closed.
“Nigeria is one of the first countries in the world to go through the USAP Continuous Monitoring Assessment (CMA) Audit,” he disclosed.

The USAP, Universal Safety Audit takes cognizance of security at airports, with the ultimate goal of promoting global aviation safety through regular audits of safety oversight systems in all ICAO member states.

The audit in Nigeria was focused on the eight critical elements, such as primary aviation legislation, civil aviation regulations, personnel licensing and training, aircraft operations, airworthiness, aircraft accident and incident investigation, air navigation services and aerodromes and ground aid.

Neu praised all the security agencies at the airports – the aviation security, Nigerian Police Airport Command, DSS, Port Health Services, Air Force, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and Quarantine Services for their contributions to safety.

In a statement signed by the general manager, public affairs, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Director -General, Muhtar Usman, thanked the ICAO auditors for a very thorough and transparent audit.

He said now that the USAP CMA activity has been completed, draft findings and recommendations will be provided to the regulatory authority.

While expressing joy that Nigeria’s performance was higher than the preceding audit in 2008, Usman assured ICAO that Nigeria will not rest on her oars but will continue to ensure that our air transport operation is secure and safe.

It was gathered that after 60 days, ICAO will forward the USAP CMA audit report to Nigeria.

In 30 days, Nigeria will submit its comments on the audit report, if any.

Within another 30 days, the country will submit to ICAO its Corrective
Action Plan, CAP.

The NCAA also said it will soon commence preparation for the ICAO’s Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme, USOAP coming later in November.