FG begins installation of 3D scanners at MMA

By Kenneth Ehigiator

LAGOS — The Federal Government has begun the installation of 3D scanner machines at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The installation of the two machines is first of the 10 acquired by the government in the wake of last December 25 attempt by a Nigeria, Farouk Abdulmattalab, to blow up an American airliner in Detroit, Michigan, USA, and would be mounted at the nation’s four international airports.

Vanguard gathered that the scanner machines (Secure 1000) arrived the country last Wednesday, while installation at the Lagos airport commenced the following day.

General Manager, Public Affairs of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Mr. Akin Olukunle, who confirmed the development, said training of personnel to man the machines would commence as soon as installations were over, adding that the cubicle that would house the control centre was also being constructed.

According to him, “the scanner can even reveal very small quantities of liquid explosives, non-metallic weapons, and plastic explosives that could be inimical to aviation safety. It will also enhance facilitation of passengers, reduce time spent on screening as well as relieve aviation security officials of the need to do 100 per cent ‘pat down’ of passengers, among other layers of security measures put in place.