The Managing Director of Arik Air, Chris Ndulue, has pledged to work with the new Commissioner of Police, Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos to improve security in its operations.
Ndulue made this known when the Police Commissioner, Mr. Taiwo Lakanu paid courtesy visit to the airline’s headquarters in Lagos.
He urged the police to sustain and improve security at the airport to end the incursion of unwanted persons at the restricted areas of the airport and prevent those who sneak into the airport and enter the wheel-well of aircraft as stowaways.
Ndulue also noted that police should have access to every part of the airport and should not be prevented from working at the restricted areas, remarking that at other parts of the world police have unfettered access to all parts of the airport in order to effectively maintain peace and ensure the protection of passengers and other airport users.
He said that Arik Air has well-trained aviation security personnel which would always collaborate with the Nigeria police for maximum protection and prevention of any kind of crises.
Mr. Lakanu in response said he is determined to collaborate with airlines to improve security at the airport, but however noted that the airport is vast with so many acreages of land to be covered, adding that police is trying to plug the loopholes.
“The essence of my visit is to establish a relationship to let you know that we will work together. I want you to be free to criticise us. The public is our police. They are supposed to police the police. You are professionals if you notice any excesses you have to draw my attention to it and I will take it up personally. We need to create conducive environment for you people to work. To create enabling environment and the only way we can do it is to make sure that the area is crime free. Here is a technical environment, which is vast with acreages of land. It is too big,” he said.
Lakanu said he would fully utilise the strength of the police under his command to prevent crime at the airport.
“If you come to the ramp you will see a lot of policemen there. That has reduced the crowd there and I am going to work with the Nigeria Air Force to make sure we reduce the number of people that have illicit access to the airport; then concerning your own area, whenever you have problem, do not hesitate to call on us. I believe in being proactive instead of being reactive. Let us personalise this relationship for maximum result. It is going to be a better relationship between the police and Arik.
Lakanu commended the management of Arik Air and Medview Airline who continued to maintain their business despite the harsh operational environment, adding that the challenges in airline operation could discourage anyone that is not prepared to make sacrifices.