Nigeria has approved
that the Aviation Security personnel should bear arms to enhance security of
passengers and installations at the airports.
The Minister of
State for Aviation, Mr. Hadi Sirika, unveiled on Wednesday at the end of the
Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting which was presided over by President
Muhammadu Buhari.
He said his ministry
would partner with the Ministry of Interior and other stakeholders in the
training of the affected Aviation Security personnel in arms’ handling.
“We are very serious
about aviation security, just last week the President approved that aviation
security should bear arms, so we are trying to make them take the form and
shape.
“The Minister of
Interior is helping us in that regard from the directive of Mr President, to
partner with them and other stakeholders to ensure we keep our airports secure.
“So, very soon you
will them with uniform, doing different functions and securing our airports.’’
He explained that
detail would be provided at the at the next stakeholders meeting.
The minister also
disclosed that the council approved N1.1 billion for the completion of the
Kaduna International Airport Terminal building.
He said the contract
for the rehabilitation of the building was initially awarded in 2011 at the
cost of about N500 million.
He said the
contractor noticed some structural damages to the building which necessitated
the variation of the contract sum to the N1.1 billion.
“FEC has approved
the completion of Kaduna terminal building. It was awarded in 2011 and
commenced in 2012.
“During the
rehabilitation of the terminal building a contractor noticed some structural
damages to the building itself and then increased the scope of what to be done
to put it to use and that necessitated the variation of contract sum.
“The cost of
variation is in excess of 15 per cent, it had to go to the then President
Goodluck Jonathan for approval anticipation, that was approved and they went to
BPP.
“So we brought it to
council today to ratify and of course taking into cognisance the exchange rate
and inflation that has increased the cost of completion of the terminal
building.
“Council has
approved the completion of that terminal building and it will be completed in
six months.’’
On how to manage the
closure of Abuja airport and construction of Kaduna airport terminal building,
Sirika stated the rehabilitation work would not hinder flight operations.
NAN
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