Growing terrorism: Demuren calls for better security funding

A former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Dr Harold Demuren has called for better security funding beyond the $20 per passenger presently being charged as a security levy.

Speaking at the Aviation Round Table (ART) Q2/2022 Business Breakfast Meeting (BBM) centred on ‘Perspectives in Multi-layered Aviation Security System and Passenger Facilitation at the Golfview Hotel GRA Ikeja, Lagos where he stated that terrorists had adequate planning time, funding and a ready-to-die attitude all of which drives them.

Demuren also canvassed for more funding for the improvement of security around the airports.

Besides the major attention points needed for multi-layered aviation security and funding, Demuren listed human factor and the state of Nigerian aviation as part of the gamut for a working system.

Describing funding as key to supporting security oversight and required for state-of-the-art security equipment he however emphasized that workers within the system posed a risk.

Speaking on how workers can compromise safety by becoming insider threats, the former NCAA DG insisted that training and continuous training must be given priority.

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Also speaking at the event, renowned security consultant, Dr Ayodele Obilana, in his presentation on ‘Addressing Challenges to Passenger Facilitation Process in the Aviation Security Regime’ has called for balancing between facilitation and security procedures.

His words: “Operational process for seamless airport passage calls for ‘balancing act’ between facilitation and security procedures. One is not to override the other. The regime should also ensure coordination and cooperation between airport agencies and the tasking authority who are statutorily assigned for implementation of the process in all facets. The process of facilitation must also ensure that security layers are not compromised in the process in itself.

“Security layers of airport operations should be strictly enforced particularly now that aviation remains a prime target of perpetrators of unlawful acts. And things must not be taken for granted hence, there must be compliance on screening and other security measures to acceptable international standards.”

In his opening address, President Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative (ASRTI), Dr Gabriel Olowo said that in view of the current security deterioration and challenges in Nigeria on farmlands, churches and mosques, road and rail transportation said the ART was reviewing the aviation system in hopes that those in authority take notes and do what is required.

”We are reviewing Multilayer Security System in Aviation through the eagle eyes of respected Professionals & Discussants who have gracefully honored our invitation to be here before it ever happened. This is the voice of a town crier. It is expected that implementation of the conclusions today will be treated by the responsible task owners with utmost seriousness it deserves.”