MONTRÉAL, 24 March 2015 – Stressing the importance of bolstering local and regional aviation security in the face of evolving threats from terrorist groups such as Boko Haram, the Republic of Cameroon’s Minister of Transport, the Honourable Professor Robert Nkili, expressed his State’s deep gratitude last week to the Council President of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, for the UN aviation agency’s recent assistance and capacity-building efforts.
“At our request, ICAO conducted a comprehensive Aviation Security and Facilitation (AVSEC/FAL) assessment in Cameroon in 2014, which subsequently led to our agreement to a six-phase State Improvement Plan (SIP) last November,” commented Minister Nkili. “We began to implement the SIP response this January and expect to have it completed by September.”
The comments came during a meeting to discuss Cameroon’s compliance with international civil aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs), Cameroon/ICAO bilateral cooperation, as well as further technical assistance that ICAO may be able to provide Cameroon going forward. The assessment mission reviewed Cameroon’s AVSEC programmes, training development, quality control systems, crisis management planning and security/facilitation procedures at the Yaoundé-Nsimalen Airport.
Once its current SIP responses have been fully established, Cameroon has already signaled its willingness for a follow-on ICAO Universal Security Audit Programme (USAP) visit to measure its progress.
“The assistance and capacity-building which ICAO is providing to Cameroon in this instance is part of a broader regional effort which has seen similar programmes commenced with Chad, Niger and Nigeria,” stressed ICAO Council President Aliu. “It is essential that international airports and the civil aviation infrastructure of States facing potential threats are safeguarded to the fullest extent possible. ICAO is placing significant priority today on ensuring that all of our Member States benefit from the effective implementation of our SARPs, and that we leave No Country Left Behind where the benefits of safe, secure and reliable air transport are concerned.”
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Other officials in the Delegation of Minister Nkili:
His Excellency Mr. Anu'a-Gheyle Solomon Azoh-Mbi, Cameroon’s High-Commissioner to Canada
Mr. Englebert Zoa Etundi, Permanent Representative of Cameroon on the ICAO Council
Mr. Maximin Paul Nkoue, Chairman of the Board of the Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority
Mr. Pierre Tankam, Cameroon’s Director General of Civil Aviation
Mr. Alain Roger Edou Mvelle, Head of Cooperation Unit, Ministry of Transport
Ms. Marcelle Abate Doua, Assistant Research Officer, Civil Aviation Division
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