- Federal government has approved that airport security officers can now carry gun

- The new aviation security arrangement will take the form of the United States’ Transportation Security Administration (TSA)

With the fleeing of Boko Haram insurgents from Sambisa forest, the federal government has approved that security personnel at the nation’s airports will now bear arms as a measure to improve the general security at the airports and guard against any possible terror attacks.


The government also assured that Nigeria will have a national carrier before the end of this year.

In a related development, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the completion of Kaduna airport terminal building at the cost of N1 billion.


Minister of state for aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed these to state house correspondents after the FEC meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa, Abuja.


Sirika asserted that the federal government is very serious about aviation security, saying that, just last week, the president approved that aviation security personnel should bear arms.

He explained that the new aviation security arrangement will take the form of the United States’ Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

Sirika said: “So we are trying to make them take the form and shape of TSA of the US with K-9 dogs, handcuffs, the guards, the batons, light weapons, etc. The minister of interior is helping us in that regard, with the directive of Mr. President.

“They are partnering with us and other stakeholders to keep our airports secure. All these will be unveiled at the next stakeholders’ meeting.”

On the issue of national carrier, the minister said it will be wholly private sector-driven.

He contended that, with the exception of Ethiopian Airline, it had been proved that government does not do well with this kind of venture.


He said: “When we came in, we were very clear on our targets and goals and what we set out to achieve. And we did say that Nigeria does not have a national airline. The national airline will be one that the government will have no hand in; normally it can have three per cent. It will be private sector-led, private sector-driven.

“We are going to have a national carrier; it is on course, and because it is a Public-Private Project (PPP) thing, it has to go through IC and C, and it also has to follow all the due process. So it is time consuming, but I hope that, very soon, before the end of the year, we will have a very strong, viable national airline.

“For me, if any airline will have the capacity to deploy several aircraft with seamless operation, non-disruptive, provide the service, go the long haul, take advantage and give other international airlines a run for their money, we don’t need to get involved; it is because there is none.”

The aviation minister recalled that the Nigerian Airways used to do all of this, but that in the wisdom of the then government, it liberalised the sector, adding that because of the absence of Nigeria’s capacity, most of these airlines came and left as fast as they came in.

Sirika, however, gave the assurance that the government was addressing all of these concerns.

“We are going to establish this national carrier and it will give good service. This is the solution, because Nigeria has the market: we are 180 million (in population); we are sitting in West Africa, and in the West African market, we are 450 million (in population) and Nigeria is the major player."

Sirika also revealed that FEC had approved the completion of the Kaduna terminal building for the sum of N1 billion. He noted that the contract for the project was awarded in 2011 and work commenced in 2012.


According to him, the variation of contract sum became necessary when during the rehabilitation of the terminal building, a contractor noticed some structural damage to the building itself and then increased the scope of work to be done.

On how to manage the closure of Abuja airport and construction of Kaduna terminal, he said that there is another elaborate terminal robust enough to take the passengers for the duration of six weeks.

He said: “It will not hinder it; it will not stop them also from working. It may be also a bonus if the contractor is able to run through and finish before March, but whether it is finished or not, it will not affect the operations because there are enough buildings to carry out the operations of the airport.”

Meanwhile, British Airways cabin crew has decided to embark on a 48-hour strike from January 10, 2017. The strike is as a result of an ongoing pay dispute.

The decision to embark on a strike came after union members voted by 7 to 1 to reject a pay offer from the airline.


https://www.naij.com/1080955-federal-government-approves-guns-airport-security-officers.html

Instead of more money in circulation, they are circulating guns ...ngwa e remain hisbah and boys scouts.

---

buhari sef

Guns guns guns everywhere. No thinking.

I wish I fit just see this buhari, make only him just waka pass my street. the man d use me play

Is Nigeria a war zone? What's all these for? First, it was FRSC now gate men? When will they distribute guns to the innocent Southern Kaduna, Riyom, Bakin Ladi, Jos & Benue indigenous people to defend themselves against the barbaric evil Fulani's? Kukuma dash all of us guns make we start World War III. Nonsense government

I hate buhari, just like dat o, natural hate o, he is my neigbor

Jehova God!
You get to deliver your children from accidental discharge...

Great development

Let the federal government also approve #100m compensation for victims' family they ll shot at a slightest provocation,or accidental discharge.

seen..✅

Welcome development only if those securities were checked if mentally balanced to carry those weapons unlike there brothers in black uniform

They will soon begin to shoot at random and at nothing in particular

In as much as we can't trivialize national security, especially at our airports, caution should be made and enforced strictly to avoid accidental discharge and international embarrassment.

We in New Nigeria Vanguard always want the best for our dear Nation.

It's clear that this man is really a dullard

unclezuma:


Instead of more money in circulation, they are circulating guns ...ngwa e remain hisbah and boys scouts.

scachy:
Let the federal government also approve #100m compensation for families of victims they ll shot at a slightest provocation.

Agreed with you.. 101%

GUN Kwa!!!

Haaa, damn... Aint nearing the airport again... With all this red eyed hungry security that can tear me to pieces at any slight sumtin... But y is buhari doing this to me

They want kill or what, why not shocking sticks or stun guns to demoralize a violent person. Then the police which are in every airport be invited for situation that warrants gun, must every person wearing uniform carry gun.

what is the work of staff of DSS, police and DIA stationed at airports won't they tackle the fleeing Boko Haram, all I see is they are looking for excuse to carry guns

All this will prolofication of guns

A little opportunity given to a monkey to wear clothes does not guarantee it to join the dining table.

If them like them carry bomb na them sabi

It's high time, so many dangerous things now happen at the airport coupled with the threat of terrorism

Why can't we live in peace than rest in peace ....
So FG get money to buy guns but can't pay civil servants .... Hell for politicians suppose dey different o.... Buhari keep on with your good works

Well, it's good. Security of lives and property is very important. I just hope the security officers at our airports would use the arms effectively for its intended purposes and not to create public tension at the airports.

whizfache:
I hate buhari, just like dat o, natural hate o, he is my neigbor

It is because you are Igbo maybe becauz this people hate everybody w/o reason