The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has enhanced Nigeria’s aviation security with the training of NCAA aviation security staff and representatives of all relevant security agencies working at the airport with Air-Defence Systems.
The two-week training took place at the NCAA corporate headquarters in Abuja and it focused on Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS).
MANPADS are lightweight anti-aircraft weapons and are increasingly becoming dangerous to aviation globally.
The course titled, “Reducing Vulnerabilities to MANPADS and Stand-off Weapons” was facilitated by the French Civil Aviation Authority.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the acting director-general, Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo said participants have acquired some level of competence to deal with MANPADS which is a threat to both military and civil aviation.
Najomo said by implementing mitigating measures, Nigeria will prevent catastrophic effects on the national economy and even the global economy.
He said the concept of having a mixed class of various organisations was deliberate to foster interagency collaboration and cooperation to achieve a common goal.
According to him, “We must work together if we are going to ensure a secure aviation sector”.
Also speaking, the director of aviation security, NCAA, Dr. Omogo Bernard Chinedu, 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 acting DGCA’s commitment to building the right competencies among the staff.
