Lagos — The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Monday said it would use the World Bank's $14.5m loan for the acquisition of basic communications and inspection security at the airport personnel and the implementation of measures to reinforce airport security at the main four international airport those in Abuja, Port Harcourt and Kano.

The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun also said that the loan would be for the rehabilitation and construction within existing airport buildings of crisis management centres, including acquisition of necessary communication and surveillance tools for the centres.

Speaking to newsmen at the FAAN headquarters in Lagos, when he received the World Bank Mission Task Team led by Mr. Pierre Pozzo Di Borgo, Aisuebogun appreciated the contributions of the World Bank towards the nation's aviation industry, noting that his management would assist in ensuring that the fund meant for the different developmental projects were judiciously spent.

He further explained that the support would take care of the improvement of airport security through the acquisition of passengers and cargo x-ray machines and explosive materials tracers; acquisition of fire fighting equipment; consultancy /supervision services; and training of airport safety personnel.

Borgo expressed satisfaction that Nigeria benefited in the West and Central Africa Air Transport Safety and Security Project, which is aimed at strengthening infrastructure at the airports and making them safer and better secured.

He also reiterated that with the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors' approval of funds for Nigeria, including the $14.5m allocated to FAAN in September 2007, the stage was now set for the implementation of the projects.

The task team yesterday inspected FAAN's facilities at the Murtala Muhammad Airport, Lagos before proceeding to Abuja.

Meanwhile,the management of FAAN said it was ensuring that all ground handling companies and airlines operators involved in the ongoing airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2007 Hajj operation have the necessary equipment to make the exercise hitch-free.

To foster a successful exercise, Aisuebeogun has in the past two weeks been going round all airports designed for the airlifting of pilgrims including those in Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Yola, Ilorin, Minna and Lagos to supervise the operations.