The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) said it has inaugurated a National Facilitation Committee which is expected to serve as a vehicle for carrying out the National Facilitation Programme.
This is pursuant to the recommendation of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) stipulating that each contracting state shall establish a National Facilitation Committee.
According to the Director of Consumer Protection (DCP) of NCAA, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi, the committee is charged with implementing the Chicago Convention that mandated that contracting states to provide for and facilitate the border – crossing formalities that must be accomplished with respect to aircraft engaged in international operations, their passengers, crews and cargo.
He said it will designate Customs airports in Nigeria, develop procedures through which operators of scheduled and non-scheduled services may request permission to land or depart from customs airports and arrange for border inspection services at the customs airports.
He further said they will develop programmes for control of security problems such as documents fraud, illegal migration, smuggling and touting. Support the interested border control agencies in the
establishment and maintenance of effective inspection systems at the airports.
The committee headed by the NCAA Director General, comprises of members drawn from the Aviation Ministry, Customs, Immigration, Police and Foreign Affairs Ministry. The rest include Agriculture and
Environment, Security and Narcotics, Public Health, FAAN, NAMA, Tourism, International Airlines and National Aviation Security Committee.
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