Deputy Managing Director, Total E&P Nigeria Limited, Mr. Ahmadu-Kida Musa has commended Aviation security, AVSEC, at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA for the reduction in the incidents of luggage theft and tempering at the airport.
He also applauded the efforts of AVSEC also in the reduction of armed attacks at airport shops especially the bureau de change, BDCs and the activities of touts.
Speaking at the annual seminar/lecture 2018 of the MMIA AVSEC in Lagos with the theme: Impression of a First Time Visitor to MMIA, A Security Perspective, Mr. Musa said though there were many security agencies in and around the airport, the role of AVSEC was so specialized that they have no option than to partner them in ensuring the airport as an entry and exit point was safe and secured.
The oil Deputy Managing Director represented by Mr. Adekoli Abu said, “AVSEC plays an integral part of national security as it’s statutorily charged with the responsibility of providing security services at airports nationwide, which includes the safety of passengers, airlines, ground personnel, crew members, the public and the facilities”.
He observed that over the years there had been tremendous changes at the airport which had helped in the speedy facilitation of passengers which must been applauded.
Among this he pointed out includes the comprehensive checks of passengers’ luggage, luggage tags and access control entry.
“On arriving MMIA, your luggage passes through the luggage scanner. Further comprehensive checks and searches as you pass immigration desk. Then just when you want to enter the aircraft there are more searches. No doubt, it is near impossible to enter the aircraft with a prohibited item or without proper documentation. Great job AVSEC”.
“Unlike other international airports where it is possible to mistakenly take another passenger’s luggage on arrival your destination. In MMIA and indeed all our airports, your luggage tag is crosschecked with the stump to ensure that you don’t make that ‘mistake’. This has helped to ensure reduced luggage theft to the barest minimum. Well done AVSEC”.
However, Mr. Musa urged the management and AVSEC to pay attention to the crowd that mill around the arrival terminal when flights arrive and the poor lighting at the car park.
“At MMIA, you must have good reason to enter the departure hall before you are allowed in. Passport and tickets are checked by AVSEC to ensure that those with no justification for entering the airport departure hall are kept out”.
According to him, ”the crowd of taxi drivers, BDC agents, well-wisher and spectators that welcome a visitor to Nigeria can be intimidating to a first timer. I am aware that the situation is better now as traders and touts have been banned from the arrival halls but there is still some work to be done”.
“As we all know, security lights can help to deter criminals at night time. As a new arrival to MMIA noted-it can be scary to walk from outside the arrival hall to the car park along the unlit walk way”.
He added,” As you know, I work in a company where we have several expatriates. So this is just a recollection of the good and the not so good experiences they have shared. I believe this will help us appreciate our work better”.
Musa stressed that these good observations deserved commendation and encouragement to do even better.
“Kudos to the FAAN for all the work you have done to maintain such a highly professional specialized aviation security organization despite all the challenges. Please keep up the good job of protecting our airports”.
