The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Sunday explained that the aviation road map was designed to revolutionalise the industry and increase revenue.

This is contained in a statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mr Yakubu Dati, and given to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

The statement added that the road map entails institutionalising world class safety and security standards, through institutional reforms and development of infrastructure in Nigerian airports.

It said FAAN, under the leadership of Mr Salem Dunoma, had remained committed to upgrading infrastructure in all the airports to make them conform to international standards.

“Recent figures released by the National Bureau of Statistics attest to the fact that Nigeria has grown appreciable in recent years; from 13,891,677 passengers in 2010 to 14,899,958 passengers lifted in 2013.

“Surely, this growth is the outcome of deliberate strategic transformation by the government in the sector and indeed, a key performance indicator that the reforms are yielding positive outcomes.

“A further boost of confidence came earlier this week when the American Transportation Security Administration (TSA) which has just completed a security assessment tour of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, gave the airport high marks.

“The US team also commended FAAN for what it called consistency methodology in the implementation of TSA Security procedures which are of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.”

According to the statement, the Lagos airport has benefited from the upgrade of Air Navigational Services as well as aerodrome and ground aids, enabling a fine mix of technology and human interface.

The statement said it had received massive improvements with security scanners installed at various passenger processing and baggage handling points that could detect liquid explosives and other potentially offensive materials.

“New access control and monitoring systems, with tighter access control procedures have been put in place to keep away unauthorised persons from sterile areas of the airport.

“The new Close Circuit Television (CCTV) systems have also been installed to enhance security at the airport with perimeter fencing reinforced to keep out unwanted access to runways.

“FAAN has increased motorised perimeter patrols, and installed remote electronic intruder monitoring systems and security tower observation.

“The parameter access road has been reconstructed in order to facilitate patrols and enhance security.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Yakubu Dati.

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