The Federal Executive  Council has approved N2.4 billion for the construction of an indoor shooting range for aviation security.

Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika made this known this while briefing State House Correspondents at the end of this week’s cabinet meeting.

According to VON, he said the aim was to further train the security personnel, who have obtained Presidential approval to start carrying arms, for improved security in the nation’s airports.

“Today in council two memorandum were considered for aviation. This first is construction of indoor shooting range for aviation security. Recall some time ago Mr. President in conformity with the Act established Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, had approved that aviation security carry arms for improved security and you also recall that these aviation personnel were trained and still receiving training and profiling and all things that will make them efficient at the DSS and other sister organizations.

“Adding to that, they need tools and equipment to play the role they ought to play to keep us safe and secure. So, a contract was awarded to a Nigerian company in association with another company of the US and the total contract sum is N2, 413, 963, 035. 75. This includes all of the taxes and the completion period of course is two months and that has been graciously approved by His Excellency the President. This is in line with suggestions and recommendations by UN counter terrorism unit and also the International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO,” the Minister explained.

He said some treaties of the International civil Aviation Organisation, ICA were also ratified by the Cabinet.

“The second memorandum that was considered and approved by Council today was the ratification of the instrument of International Civil Aviation Organisation Treaties. They are five in number, there is the protocol to amend the convention for the separation of unlawful seizure of aircraft which is called The Hague Convention of 1970.

“The other one is protocol to amend the convention for the separation of unlawful acts against safety of civil aviation which is the Montréal Convention of 1971. Another one is the protocol to amend the convention on offences and certain other acts committed on board aircraft. This one also is called the Montreal Protocol of 2014.

“The fourth one is protocol to amend Article 50 (a) of the convention on International Civil Aviation Organisation, ICAO, called the Chicago Convention of December 1944. The fifth one is the protocol to amend Article 56 of the Convention of International Civil Aviation Organisation, the ICAO Convention, December 1944 at Montreal. The significance of all of these is to improve safety and security,” Sirika explained.