Nosa Aituamen
The Federal Government has taken a decisive step to bolster safety and efficiency at the nation’s airports with the acquisition and installation of state-of-the-art screening machines.
These advanced technologies are designed to detect a wide range of threats, from explosives and illicit drugs to undeclared foreign currencies and even organic materials like agricultural products.
The rollout has already begun, with Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos taking the lead.
The focus of this upgrade is the installation of cutting-edge screening machines, specifically the Orion 928 DX and the Itemizer 5X explosive trace detector, ETD.
These sophisticated units have been strategically placed in key areas – the departure and arrival halls, as well as the cargo export and import warehouses.
The aim is clear: to significantly enhance the safety, security, and overall efficiency for both passengers and cargo.
This initiative aligns directly with President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s commitment to modernizing airport security through the adoption of advanced surveillance technology.
The Orion 928 DX is a powerful screening machine utilizing advanced techniques to identify potential threats, including narcotics, explosives, undeclared currency, and even organic materials.
A key feature is its four-color imaging system, known as SP4, this provides security personnel with clear and rapid visual data, enabling them to quickly pinpoint any anomalies.
According to the Head of Department, ICT, Lagos International Airport, Mrs. Chima Julliet, the impact of these machines is already being felt.
She said, the introduction of the Orion has significantly reduced the need for extensive manual searches and this allows security personnel to focus on more targeted secondary checks.
This ultimately leading to shorter wait times for passengers and making the airport a more attractive and seamless experience for travellers.
“It has the ability to be able to identify threats, potential threats with clear vision, visual data is clear, and it’s fast as a bag is being screened and it is going to make passengers movement so fast”.
Mrs. Julliet noted that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, is developing a parallel system that will allow other relevant agencies to monitor the screening process in real-time, fostering greater collaboration and efficiency.
The focus on enhanced security extends to cargo operations as well.
While the safety of shipments originating from Nigeria has always been a priority, the introduction of the Itemizer 5X in the export and import warehouses marks a significant step forward.
This cutting-edge technology provides an even greater level of assurance for all cargo destined for air transport.
The Head of Security at one of the cargo warehouses, Mr. Tunde Olowoyeye, explaining the impact of the new Itemizer 5X said, a substantial difference to their security team’s work has been made.
According to him, the machine is efficient at detecting even the smallest traces of explosives in all outbound shipments, providing an added layer of security and peace of mind.
“”Now it makes our work a lot easier and it’s able to detect any trace of explosive in every shipment that is going outside the place, so the safety and the security of all our shipments is now guaranteed. The Itemizer 5 X is able to trace any explosive making every shipment that’s going on board our aircraft safe and good to fly”.
But the improvements do not stop there. For passengers, the introduction of electronic gates, or E-Gates, promises a faster and more convenient security clearance process.
This system, currently undergoing a test run, allows passengers to move through security checkpoints without physical contact, utilizing their biometric data and boarding passes.
Director, Security Services, FAAN, retired Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Afegbai Igbafe, elaborated on this development saying, the implementation of the E-Gate system is a key part of FAAN’s commitment to adopting international best practices in airport security.
This advanced technology scans passengers’ body passes and grants access without the need for physical interaction, contributing to both speed and enhanced security.
“Nobody needs to have physical contact with you just take your boarding pass, you scan and it will open, without the boarding pass, you cant pass through, we want it to be a kind of a seamless approach”.
Even the baggage claim area is benefiting from this security upgrade, with multiple levels of screening involving both the new machines and canine units.
Looking ahead, FAAN has ambitious plans to fully automate its airport operations.
This includes the installation of comprehensive CCTV camera systems and a central command center to monitor all airport activities.
The goal is to achieve a fully automated airport within the next month, with robust access control and CCTV systems in place to further enhance passenger safety and streamline facilitation.
This investment in state-of-the-art technology signals a strong commitment from the Federal Government to elevate security standards at Nigeria’s airports, ultimately aiming to create a safer and more efficient travel experience for everyone.
This significant investment in security infrastructure at the major airports is undoubtedly a welcome development for travellers and the nation as a whole.
