The Federal Government has announced its intention to acquire tailored explosives and narcotics detection screening systems with remote and dual-view capabilities for five international airports in Nigeria. This initiative aims to alleviate the challenges faced by passengers during security screenings.
Speaking after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja on Monday, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Chief Festus Keyamo, revealed the government’s decision to address the prolonged wait times and discomfort experienced by air travelers across the country.
Chief Festus Keyamo further disclosed that the procurement of these advanced machines, valued at N3.28 billion, will see installation at the Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, and Enugu Airports. The implementation is expected to be completed within 12 months from the date of payment.
Expressing the need for enhanced security measures, Chief Festus Keyamo remarked, “Since assuming office, we have been inundated with distressing accounts of passengers’ ordeals at airports, where manual bag searches by various agencies have been the norm. This process not only causes delays but also invades the privacy of passengers. We propose a solution similar to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States, where detection machines streamline the security process by identifying explosives and other prohibited items, ultimately minimizing the need for physical bag searches.”
In addition to the installation of these detection systems, the Federal Executive Council has ratified the Bilateral Air Service Agreement with the Republic of Guyana, signed in 2014. This agreement is anticipated to reduce air travel duration for passengers flying to European destinations.
Regarding the Nigeria Air project, Chief Festus Keyamo revealed that the project has been suspended, with a comprehensive report submitted to the President for a decision on the next course of action. Emphasizing the need to await the President’s directive on the matter, he refrained from preempting any decisions.
However, Chief Festus Keyamo assured the public that all aspects surrounding the deployment of the national airline have been meticulously outlined in the report submitted to the President. He affirmed that Nigerians will be duly informed of the developments and the timeline for the launch of a new airline in due course.
Furthermore, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Lateef Fagbemi, announced the Federal Executive Council’s approval for presenting the country’s Human Rights report to the United Nations. This report forms part of the UN Universal Periodic Report scheduled for submission in February 2024.
Chief Lateef Fagbemi elaborated, “Since 2018, we have not submitted a report, and a meeting has been scheduled in February 2024 for the submission of these reports to the United Nations. It is essential that we proactively send our report ahead of this meeting. After engaging with stakeholders from all six geopolitical zones, including the three tiers of government, we have compiled a comprehensive report for consideration by the United Nations Human Rights Council.”
The report encompasses key areas such as child employment in the armed forces, gender-based discrimination in inheritance rights for women, and the nation’s commitment to anti-corruption efforts. Chief Lateef Fagbemi also highlighted that the report addresses specific queries raised by the UN as part of the submission requirements.
This development signifies the government’s commitment to improving airport security and upholding human rights obligations on the international stage.
