Executive Order: FG orders importation of screening machines for installation at airports

The executive order recently rolled out by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo to aviation authorities which has led to the removal of manual checks across the airports has started yielding positive results as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has ordered for importation of more screening machines to be installed  at major airports across the country.

Information gathered has indicated that the screening machines which will any time from now arrive the country from Europe were ordered for by the management of FAAN in obedience to the executive order given by the Acting President.

The screening machines which caused several millions of dollars include: cargo screening machines, carry-on screening machines, hand-held metal detectors, 3-D body scanners, hold baggage screening machines and walk-through metal detectors.

The scanners according to a security source, will help to ensure increased security surveillance of outgoing baggage destined for aircraft bulk hold which will be in addition to other equipment installed within the airports that will ensure that dangerous or unapproved luggage is not loaded onto the aircraft.

The screening machines on arrival would be installed at strategic locations within the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) to complement the existing equipment at the terminal.

Besides Lagos airport, other airports like Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu are expected to benefit from the installation of the new and more sophisticated equipment.

Confirming the development, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN,  Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, while declaring that the equipment would arrive the country soon, added that the scanners would be installed at the required places which she said would further enhance screening of baggage at all airports across the country.

“FAAN has ordered for more scanners to be imported into the country for screening purposes. These scanners would be installed at the required places and once they are installed, they would capture everything either in check-in luggage, hand luggage and even those things with the passengers. What we have right moment are the monitors.

“We are doing whatever we do now in order to comply with the 30 days order. So, the scanners are coming any moment from now and they will be put at the screening points in order to enhance safety and security at the airports. What we order too, include lots of spares because we need spare to replace any of the scanners that might breakdown.”