By Emmanuel Obisue
Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, ok Monday said it has enhanced the country’s aviation security with the training of NCAA aviation security staff and representatives of all relevant security agencies working at the airport.
Nigerian Pilot reports that the two-weeks training which took place at the NCAA corporate headquarters in Abuja, focused on Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems, MANPADS – a lightweight anti-aircraft weapon.
Speaking at the closing ceremony recently, the Acting Director-General, Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo noted that participants have acquired some level of competence to deal with MANPADS which is a threat to both military and civil aviation.
By implementing mitigating measures, Najomo said Nigeria will prevent catastrophic effects on the national economy and even the global economy.
The concept of having a mixed class of various organizations, he explained, was deliberate to foster interagency collaboration and cooperation to achieve a common goal. “We must work together if we are going to ensure a secure aviation sector,” he emphasized.
The Director of Aviation Security, NCAA, Dr. Omogo Bernard, said Capt. Najomo has identified gaps in aviation security and he is deliberating and working to close them to enhance aviation security and safety in Nigeria.
He said this was exemplified by the Ag.DGCA’s commitment to building the right competencies among the staff.
The course titled Reducing Vulnerabilities to MANPADS and Stand-off Weapons was facilitated by the French Civil Aviation Authority.