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FG committee okays MMA2 for regional operations

By on April 21, 2016

The Ministerial Committee on Airport Security has certified the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2, Lagos, operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, fit for the commencement of regional operations.

Following a visit to the facility, the committee, set up by the Federal Government to assess the security situation in all Nigerian airports, expressed satisfaction with the level of security at the terminal.

The committee led by Air Commodore Hambali Tukur (retd.) observed that the facilities at the airport were comparable to those found in other major airports around the world.

As such, it advised that there should not be any further delay in the commencement of international operations at the terminal.

The committee was received by the Chief Operations Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services, Ms. Adebisi Awoniyi; the Chief Security Officer, Mr. Olayinka Olatunji, and other senior management officers.

A member of the committee, Akin Olateru, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues at the conclusion of their tour of the terminal, commended efforts by the terminal operator to enhance passenger facilitation.

Olateru disclosed that the committee would make representation to the relevant authorities on the need to grant Bi-Courtney Aviation the authorisation required to commence regional operations at the MMA2.

Explaining the purpose of the visit, the committee observed that it was part of the pro-active measures put in place to identify and address security challenges facing the nation’s airports.

Areas visited by the committee during the assessment tour included the ticketing hall, regional arrival and departure areas, the screening point and other security formations, the car hire area, drop-off zone, self check-in kiosks and the electronic screening machines.

While addressing the committee members, Awoniyi commended the government initiative, noting that Bi-Courtney had over the years invested a lot in maintaining security and other infrastructure at the terminal.

She added that the company was currently undertaking an extensive upgrade of the CCTV camera for the entire terminal due to the dynamic nature of airport operations and the introduction of new technology.

She also told the committee that approval for regional operations at the MMA2 was granted by the then Minister of Aviation, Chief OsitaChidoka, in May 2015.

She added, “All relevant security agencies, including the Customs, SSS, Immigration, the NDLEA and others have their offices ready for the regional operations, while some of them have, in fact, deployed personnel in the terminal. Some have also installed their scanning equipment and are ready for the commencement of operations.”

 

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