US pledges to help FAAN on security at airports

The United States of America has promised to help Nigeria sort out the security challenges in the the country's aviation sector.

Economic Officer, United States Consulate General, Lagos, Mr. James Plasman, leading a team of US officials on visit to the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr. George Uriesi, pledged the U.S Government's assistance in addressing certain issues confronting the airports in Nigeria.

Mr. Plasman said  that the American Government was interested in ensuring the safety and security of the nation's airports.

The envoy who was reticent on the the area of assistance, commended the cordial relationship between the Nigeria and U.S Governments, adding that this would further be strengthened with the air links between the two countries.

Earlier, Uresi had explained to the visiting US team that concerted efforts were being made to ensure the safety and security of the airports.

The FAAN boss said that a lot of funds had been expended to purchase security gadgets for screening at airports to keep at bay anyone that would want to breach security or cause problems.

According to him, over 1,500 security officials have been trained to handle the security gadgets currently being installed at the airports, which can detect liquids amongst others.

He further explained that FAAN had until 2015 to be independent, free from the Federal Government's support of all its capital projects, adding that the last wave of the support was the re-modelling projects of airports.