The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced full implementation of certification of all aviation security screeners in the nation’s airports whose responsibility is to screen passengers and cargo before they are taken to the aircraft.
These security operatives carry out the most critical function in ensuring that persons and luggage with incendiary devices and other dangerous objects are not taken into the aircraft.
NCAA, which made this known in a statement signed by its spokesman, Sam Adurogboye said this was in accordance to the provision of the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO) Certification System (Annex 17 Standards 3.4.3) for aviation security personnel and the requirements of National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP).
The Authority said in line with the regulatory requirement any person prior to being designated as an Aviation Security (AVSEC) Screener in Nigeria, must obtain certification from the NCAA.
“The Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Muhtar Usman, has in a letter titled ‘Full Implementation of Certification of Aviation Security (AVISEC) Screeners’ with ref.no.NCAA/AVSEC/SCRN.CERT/GEN/29 dated 15th June, 2016, advising all stakeholders to commence the process of certification of your personnel to act as an Aviation Security Screener,” NCAA said.
The authority said all stakeholders were informed in the letter that the full implementation of this directive would take effect from August 1, 2016 and thereafter; “it shall become a violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) for screeners who have not been certified by the Regulatory Authority to carry out any screening duties in Nigeria.”
Usman therefore urged all affected organisations and personnel to ensure compliance with the timeline by ensuring all screeners are certified with the guidelines earlier communicated to them.
NCAA defined AVSEC Screener is a security personnel responsible for the screening of passengers, cabin baggage, hold baggage, cargo, courier, mail and aviation personnel items with the use of x-ray screening equipment prior to boarding or loading of baggage and cargo into the aircraft or movement to restricted areas.
It added that all screeners requiring certification in any organisation engaged in AVSEC duties shall undertake screeners’ and/or any relevant AVSEC course from a certified AVSEC training provider and/or a recognised training institution.
