The stakeholders of Aviation sector has complained bitterly of the porous nature of the Nigeria Airports calling on government to hasten the perimeter fencing of all the airports across the country particularly the four major international airports in Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Kano.

According to a cross section of the stakeholders who highlighted this on Tuesday, inadequate security was dampening its efforts despite government efforts to transform the sector, indicating that the sector will be nowhere to be found globally except security is taken seriously.

Benjamin Okewu, president, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association (ATSSSAN), who commented that government has made concrete efforts at improving safety especially after the crash of Dana flight, also lamented that security aspect is still a major problem, eroding the efforts in other areas.

“Aviation is basically founded on two fundamentals, safety and security. So many nations are talking about the 3rd level of security at airports; Nigeria is still talking about putting in place perimeter fencing. We are all aware that drug cartels and money launderers are on the rise at airports because of the porosity, the remodeling of the airports is good but has to be complemented with security”, he said.

Olumide Ohuanyo, another stakeholder, noted that government needs to implement or improve upon deficient areas being pointed out every time the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) officials visit Nigeria’s airports for audit.

“We have dispensed financial and psychological resources on the dilapidated terminals that we needed a 13-year-old Benin boy to remind us that there is enormous leakage in our airport security preparedness. I acknowledge the strides attained and equally wish we can also address the other issues to the benefit of the industry and the country in general”, he said.