FG to install N3.23 billion explosive and narcotics detection equipment at five airports
Due to problems with delays at airport terminals in the country, the Federal Executive Committee on Monday announced a total of N3.23 billion for the supply and installation of customized explosives and narcotics detection screening systems at five international airports across Nigeria. They may have had no choice but to approve the contract.
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, stated this while briefing state house correspondents at the end of the weekly council meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the council chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja. revealed.
Mr. Keyamo said the detection screening system would be built using a drive-view mechanism at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos; Malam Aminu Kano Airport, Kano; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; Port Harcourt Airport, Rivers State.
Mr. Keyamo added that the council recognized the need for equipment to free Nigerians from the horrors of past experiences and inhuman treatment during examinations.
He said: “The two memorandums submitted by Aviation today have been approved. One is the memorandum regarding the conclusion of a bilateral air services agreement with the Republic of Guyana. was very keen for a direct flight from Guyana to Nigeria.
“This agreement was signed with the then government in 2014, but as you understand, an international agreement that is a treaty does not come into force until the domestic procedures of both countries are completed.
“Our own internal processes here include the process of ratifying treaties, so if I go out now and sign an agreement with some country, it won’t go into effect. However, it is not binding on my country until it has been ratified by the relevant authorities.
“In some cases, if it has to be enacted into law, it will be submitted to the National Assembly to be passed as law according to the provisions of the Constitution. In other cases, it may be ratified only by the executive branch. In this case, there is no need for taming. There is no need for legislation. All that is needed is approval by the executive authorities, which has been approved today. That was the note on the Bilateral Services Agreement with the Republic of Guyana.
“Secondly, I think Nigerians will be interested because since I took office, there have been complaints that passengers are having a harrowing experience with having their bags physically searched at the airport. As you all know, this is deeply ingrained in the minds of Nigerians.
“You will see various agents lined up. NDLEA, you will be asked to open your bag. Immigration, you will be asked to open your bag. Customs, you will be asked to open your bag. EFCC, They say, “Open your bag,” and dip their hand inside your bag.
“So we thought we should do something like the TSA in the US that has detectors, so when you run your bag through a machine, it detects explosives and other things, and then the search begins. Exit.
“That is, for the approval of the award of the contract for the supply and installation of customized explosives and narcotics detection screening systems with remote and dual view for the international airports of Abuja, Lagos, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu.”
“Fortunately, the council recognized the need for this type of equipment to relieve Nigerians from such experiences and it was graciously approved by the council.”
Meanwhile, the Council also approved a memorandum on draft national responses to the United Nations Universal Periodic Review of Human Rights, submitted by the Federal Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).
The response relates to an international body’s investigation into alleged human rights abuses in the country, including allegations that Nigeria is involved in the recruitment of children into the military and women’s rights violations.
Source: dailypost.ng