Agency begins certification of aviation security screeners

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has commenced full implementation of certification of all aviation security screeners in the nation’s airports.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the NCAA Director General, Capt. Muhtar Usman, made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday in Lagos on Sunday.

The statement explained that the certification was in accordance with the provisions of International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Certification System (Annex 17 Standards 3.4.3).

It added that the provision was for aviation security personnel and part of the requirements for National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP).

``Therefore, in line with the aforementioned, any person prior to being designated as an AVSEC Screener in Nigeria must obtain certification from the NCAA,’’ it said.

The statement said Usman had in a letter titled ``Full Implementation of Certification of Aviation Security (AVSEC) Screeners’’ with ref. no. NCAA/AVSEC/SCRN.CERT/GEN/29 dated June 15, 2016,’’ urged those concerned to be part of it.

The statement said the director-general had advised all stakeholders to commence the process of certification of their personnel to act as aviation Security Screener.

``All stakeholders are informed in the letter that the full implementation of this directive will take effect from Aug. 1.

``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 screening duties in Nigeria,’’ it said.

The statement also informed affected organisations and personnel to ensure compliance with the timeline by ensuring all screeners are certified with the guidelines earlier communicated to them.

It said that those affected by this directive were the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), all airline operators, all airport operators and all aviation security providers.

The statement explained that the minimum age requirement for screeners was 18 years.

``Only citizens of Nigeria or persons having permanent resident status and holding valid employment authorisation documents can serve as screeners in Nigeria.

``The screener must have a minimum academic qualification of National Diploma and professional training such as AVSEC screener course, ICAO STP 123 Basic and any other relevant AVSEC training.

``Each screener shall complete a Medical Application Form obtainable from NCAA Aero Medical Department and each screener shall undergo a medical assessment conducted by an NCAA Medical Assessor,’’ it said.

The statement noted that NCAA would continue to ensure safe and secure air transport operations in the industry.

NAN reports that an AVSEC Screener is security personnel responsible for the screening of passengers, cabin baggage, hold baggage, cargo, courier, mail and aviation personnel items.

The AVSEC personnel make use of x-ray screening equipment prior to boarding or loading of baggage and cargo into the aircraft or movement to restricted areas.