MMIA'S BODY SCANNERS YET TO BEGIN OPERATION

By NBF NEWS

The body scanners acquired by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria were yet to be put to use at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja.

Investigations by the News Agency of Nigeria showed that the machines, purchased immediately after the December 25, 2009 terrorist attack on a Detroit-bound flight, were yet to be operational.

NAN reported that the contractor handling the project and FAAN engineers were sighted on Wednesday installing the machine

The cubicle to house the control centre was also still under construction.

Engineers carrying out the installation at the airport, however, refused to comment on the reasons for the delay.

FAAN's General Manager, Public Affairs, Mr Akin Olukunle, also said he could not say the exact time the scanners would start functioning.

Olukunle said as soon as the machines were installed, it would be used to screen passengers at the arrival and departure halls.

He said the delivery of the remaining body scanners at the other international airports would be concluded before the end of the year.

The FAAN spokesman said the scanners were capable of detecting dangerous substances concealed on the human body which other devices may not detect.