In a move to enhance airport security and streamline passenger screening processes, the Federal Executive Council on Monday approved the award of a contract for the supply and installation of customised exclusive and narcotic detection screening systems for four international airports across Nigeria.
News About Nigeria reports that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, made this announcement after the conclusion of the week’s Council meeting, presided over by former President Muhammadu Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa.
Keyamo revealed that the state-of-the-art detection screening systems, featuring a drive view mechanism, will be operational in Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa; Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; and Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.
The Minister said, “So it’s for the approval of the award of contract for the supply and installation of customised explosive and narcotic detection screening systems, with a remote and dual view for the international airports of Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.
“Luckily enough, the Council saw the need for this kind of equipment in order to relieve Nigerians of such experiences and it was graciously approved by Council.”
He clarified the rationale behind this approval, citing the numerous complaints received about passengers enduring challenging experiences during physical bag searches by various agencies at the airports.
Keyamo emphasised the need for a more efficient and less intrusive system, akin to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) procedures in the United States.
Furthermore, the Council approved a memorandum for the signing of a bilateral air service agreement with the Republic of Guyana.
While the agreement was initially entered into in 2014, its effectiveness depends on the completion of internal processes in both countries.
Keyamo explained, “Our own internal process here involves a process of ratification of the treatise, so if I go out and sign an agreement with a country now, it doesn’t come into force, it doesn’t bind my country until I come back and then it goes through a process of ratification by the relevant authorities.”
The bilateral air service agreement aims to facilitate direct flights between Guyana and Nigeria.
