NCAA BEGINS CERTIFICATION OF AVIATION SECURITY SCREENERS

The NCAA said the development is in accordance with the provision of ICAO Certification System (Annex 17 Standards 3.4.3) for aviation security personnel and the requirements of National Civil Aviation Security Training Programme (NCASTP).

It added that in line with the aforementioned, any person prior to being designated as an AVSEC Screener in Nigeria, must obtain certification from the NCAA.

Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Muhtar Usman, has in a letter titled FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF CERTIFICATION OF AVIATION SECURITY (AVISEC) SCREENERS with ref.no.NCAA/AVSEC/SCRN.CERT/GEN/29 dated 15th June, 2016, advised all stakeholders to commence the process of certification of their personnel to act as an Aviation Security Screener.

In that letter, all stakeholders were informed that the full implementation of the directive will take effect from 1st August, 2016.

“Thereafter; it shall become a violation of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) for screeners who have not been certified by the Regulatory Authority to carry out any screening duties in Nigeria’’, the statement said.

Capt. Usman, therefore informed all affected organisations and personnel to ensure compliance with the timeline by ensuring all screeners are certified with the guidelines earlier communicated to them.

Below are the guidelines for certification which is valid for 24 months.

GUIDELINES FOR AVIATION SECURITY (AVSEC) SCREENER’S CERTIFICATION
1. INTRODUCTION
These guidelines shall apply to the Certification of AVSEC Screening Personnel in Nigeria.
1.1 DEFINITION
An AVSEC Screener is a security personnel responsible for the screening of passengers, cabin baggage, hold baggage, cargo, courier, mail and aviation personnel items with the use of x-ray screening equipment prior to boarding or loading of baggage and cargo into the aircraft or movement to restricted areas.
2. REQUIREMENT
2.1 GENERAL
2.1.1 All screeners requiring certification in any organisation engaged in AVSEC duties shall undertake screeners’ and/or any relevant AVSEC course from a certified AVSEC training provider and/or a recognised training institution.
2.1.2 List of AVSEC screeners shall be submitted to NCAA with the certificate obtained in 2.1.1; any other relevant training and evidence of on the job training (OJT).
2.1.3 Each screener shall complete a Personal Data form obtainable from NCAA AVSEC department and upon completion; it shall be duly signed by applicants’ organisation.

2.1.4 Each screener shall submit evidence of background check to the NCAA AVSEC department.
2.2 QUALIFICATION
2.2.1 The minimum age requirement for screeners is 18 years
2.2.2 Only citizens of Nigeria or persons having permanent resident status and holding valid employment authorisation documents can serve as screeners in Nigeria.
2.2.3 The screener must have a minimum academic qualification of National Diploma and professional training (AVSEC screener course, ICAO STP 123 Basic and any other relevant AVSEC training).
2.3 MEDICAL ASSESSMENT
2.3.1 Each screener shall complete a Medical Application Form obtainable from NCAA Aero Medical department.
2.3.2 Each screener shall undergo a medical assessment conducted by an NCAA Medical Assessor.
2.4. COMPUTER BASED EXAMINATION
2.4.1 Each screener shall undertake NCAA computer based Screener examination. The examination will measure ability to interpret and distinguish image on the X-ray monitor.
Note: The pass mark shall be 70%
2.4.2. In the event that a screener does not attain the pass mark (70%), there shall be provision for only onetime re-sit.

2.5 FEE
2.5.1 A non-refundable certification fee of twenty thousand Naira (N20,000) payable to NCAA in respect of each AVSEC screener submitted.
2.5.2 A re-sit fee of N10,000 shall be applicable
2.3.2 Recertification fee of N10,000 shall be made payable to NCAA every 24 months
3. ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE
3.1 ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE
3.1.1 Successful screeners shall be issued with a certificate.
3.1.2 The validity of the certificate shall be 24 months.
Those affected by this directive are the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), all airline operators, all airport operators and all aviation security providers.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) will continue to ensure safe and secure air transport operations in the industry.

CAPT. MUHTAR USMAN,
DIRECTOR GENERAL,
NIGERIAN CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY (NCAA).