TECHDIGEST – There are concerns from aviation experts over the state of security and difficulties in undergoing checks in some of Nigeria’s airports as fears heighten over whether the country will pass a planned audit by the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO).

Some of the experts have been calling on Nigerian authorities to consider aspects such as the use of biometrics to not only enhance security at airports, but to also facilitate the process of checking passengers, according to Nigerian newspaper Leadership.

In a recent article, the outlet quotes Tayo Ojuri, managing-director of Aglow Aviation Support Services, as challenging the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) that the ICAO safety standard audit is expected within the first three months of this year. He says there are many problems plaguing the country’s civil aviation sector which need to be addressed before the audit happens.

The aviation industry member also decries the fact that the NCAA often prepares for such audits and then slips back into failure when they are over. He proposes that such preparations should include stakeholders from other related sectors such as airlines, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Authority (NIMASA).

Ojuri, like other experts, believes that for Nigeria to be successful in the upcoming audit, it has to up its game in security by introducing methods such as automated airport screening processes and biometric checks for a seamless, rapid and convenient passenger experience.

The Leadership article also highlights the opinion of a former secretary general of the National Union of Air Transport Employees, Olayinka Abioye, who states that the security situation in Nigerian airports is a major cause for concern.

He says although Nigeria is trying in that regard, authorities of FAAN need to meet expectations. He adds that hundreds of billions of naira cannot be spent on sniffer dogs while the human and technology elements of airport security are being pushed to the backburner. He also mentions faulty machines and delays in processing passenger luggage, as some of the problems that require urgent attention.

Considering biometrics to strengthen airport security has been on the agenda of some Nigerian states such as Kano whose government, late last year, said it was planning to install a facial recognition system at the domestic and international wings of the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport to step up security.

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TECHDIGEST – The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has calmed concerns over safe flight operations over the Fifth Generation (5G) mobile network rollout, saying there is no cause for alarm.

This assurance is coming against the backdrop of the recent massive cancellation of international flights to the US after the country rolled out the mobile network.

5G network, which provides a more user-friendly experience for internet users is said to conflict with aircraft.

Experts say the frequency C-band used in 5G is almost the same as the frequency used in modern aircraft and the radio altimeter installed onboard aircraft that alerts the pilot the height above the terrain when he is approaching land or taking off.

Capt. Musa Nuhu, director-general of the NCAA, said the challenge is not of concern yet to Nigeria.

He said, “For us in Nigeria, we don’t have an auto-landing authorization, our flights don’t do auto-landing. So, for now, it is of no concern to us, but we are still monitoring the situation, see the development if there are issues that might affect us, then we will take the necessary action.”

According to him, it was not true that the US had suspended the rollout of the 5G but was restricted away from airports.

Nuhu also explained that a critical component is called radio altimeter; the spectrum by which this equipment operates is close to that of the 5G.

“So, they are afraid of interference from the radio altimeter and giving aircraft erroneous indication and during aircraft approach landing when they are about 2,500ft or so above the ground. Usually, it is for flights that are put to land.”

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TECHDIGEST – Digital Transformation, one of the seven strategic pillars of the National Information Technology Development Agency’s Strategic RoadMap and Action Plan (SRAP 2021-2024) as a pivotal aspect to transformational initiatives, has been identified as the baseline for alliance between the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

This is according Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, the director general, National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), when he received Captain Musa Shuaibu Nuhu, the director general of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and his technical team on a courtesy visit at NITDA’s corporate headquarters in Abuja.

Abdullahi stated that digital transformation is being engaged using two different fundamentals: digitization and digitalization.

While Digitization is the mechanism employed by digital technology to enhance effective processing of product and service delivery, digitalization on the other hand is adaptation of system, processes, using digital technology as a source of inspiration to change operational structure and procedure.”

The NITDA boss expatiated on the need to conform to the best global practices, said that; “technology is an enabler, therefore there is need to use technology to increase productivity.”

The DG observed that NITDA’s interface with NCAA is aimed at driving both the internal and external processes of the latter as the apex regulatory body for data regulations and development in Nigeria.

He said NITDA has been engaging NCAA in the areas of IT project clearance as well as providing advisory services to the Agency in recent past.

Abdullahi added that, in line with keeping up with global trends, the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami (while he was the DG of NITDA) enabled the issuance of the Nigeria Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) Policy in January 2019.

’’At NITDA our believe is that we cannot succeed in isolation, that’s why we have rebranded and changed our core values, mission and vision, our core values are People first, we exist to serve people); Professionalism, whatever we do is according to best practices, and Innovation, we don’t believe in conventional methods, we try to bring something new to our sector,’’ Abdullahi explained.

He postulates the need for effective human capital. ’’We need our people to understand our objectives to enable the smooth transmission of ideas and application of information technology,’’ he added.

The new drive for the agency, according to Abdullahi, is to engage all MDAs of government to ensure that they have necessary policy, processes, and infrastructure in place to ensure timely service delivery at reduced cost.

’’We are setting up training sessions, first with CEO/MDs of MDAs to enlighten them on digital transformation processes. Thereafter, staff from different departments and units, Procurement, Planning, Administration, Human Resource, etc, would be drafted into the Digital Transformation Technical Working Group (DTTWG),’’ he said.

This group, he said, would work on developing policies that aligns basically with their individual agencies/sector.

He also proffers that each MDAs should have their individual Data Protection Officers (DPOs) who would report directly to the Director General.

The DG, NITDA finally assured the NCAA DG that alliance can be formed on the platform of DTTWG to develop appropriate tool kit and enabling policy that would focus on NCAA vision and mission.

In his remarks, Captain Musa Nuhu disclosed that the motive of the courtesy visit is to strengthen their existing relationship and create synergy as all government agencies are parts of a whole. “It makes life and work easier and efficient,’’ he said.

He applauded all past NITDA’s intervention to his organization and look forward to more collaboration on all possible areas that the two government bodies could foster alliance.

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The General Manager, Public Relations, NCAA, Mr Sam Adurogboye, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

Adurogboye said that NCAA had been notified of the incident, stressing that it was the duty of regulatory authority to investigate such occurrences in order to ascertain what led to it.

He noted that the pilot acted in accordance with the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) by making an air return immediately the left engine of the aircraft caught fire in-flight.

NAN recalls that the Delta Air Lines flight 55 which took off around 10:50 pm on Tuesday, made an air return less than an hour later due to an engine fault.

The pilot announced the evacuation of all the passengers on board within 90 seconds, after contacting the control towers when the left engine of the aircraft caught fire.

A statement signed by the United States carrier’s media consultant in Nigeria, Mr Tope Awe, on Wednesday, said the A330-200 had an issue with one of its two engines.

“The flight landed safely and customers exited the aircraft on the runway via emergency slides.

“Airport fire authorities met the aircraft upon arrival. Delta’s customers were bussed back to the terminal.

“Delta is aware of five customers reporting non-critical injuries as a result of the evacuation.

“Delta teams have provided overnight hotel accommodations to customers and will rebook customers on an alternate Delta aircraft Wednesday afternoon.

“The safety of Delta’s customers and crew members is always our top priority,” Awe said. (NAN)

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