Tanzania targets high score in aviation security audit

Tanzania is targeting to score above 86 percent in aviation security audit carried out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) this year.

High score will boost travelers’ confidence and tourism performance.

A four-member team of the Icao Universal Security Audit Programme Continuous Monitoring Approach (Usap-CMA) kicked off a 12-day security audit yesterday with the focus areas being the Julius Nyerere International Airport (JNIA) and Abeid Amani Karume International Airport.

Speaking here yesterday during stakeholders’ briefing meeting, the Works and Transport minister, Prof Makame Mbarawa, said Tanzania had what it took to score above 86 percent.

“As we continue to work toward improving our efficiency in the sector, we are confident we will score above 86 percent,” Prof Mbarawa told aviation stakeholders.

He said as the number of passengers using the country’s airports increase, it was a responsibility of aviation stakeholders to ensure security so that they could keep coming.

The number of passengers who used the country’s airports last year jumped by 49.23 to 5.72 million from 3.84 million the preceding year, according to the Tanzania Civil Aviation Authority (TCAA).

“We have zero tolerance against security threats and that is why we are massively investing in equipment and training of staff,” concluded Prof Mbarawa.

The last Icao security audit, that was conducted in 2015, saw Tanzania score 86 percent.

Icao Usap-CMA team leader, Mr Callum Vine said this year’s audit that started yesterday, will go through May 26 this year.

“The objective of the Usap-CMA is to promote global aviation security through continuous auditing and monitoring of member states’ aviation security performance,” said Mr Vine.

The arrangement is geared to enhancing aviation security compliance and oversight capabilities by regularly and continuously obtaining and analysing data on member states’ aviation security performance.

According to Mr Vine, issues to be touched include the level of implementation of the critical elements of an aviation security oversight system.

The auditing team will also look at the degree of compliance with standards of Icao security and facilitation and associated procedures, guidance material and security-related practices.

He said it was their target that 90 percent of Icao members score over 80 percent in this year’s security audit and over 90 percent in 2030.

With Icao’s target for this year, Tanzania’s last audit that saw it score 86 percent, is within the aviation global body’s goal.

TCAA director general, Hamza Johari, expressed optimism that Tanzania will score high and there would be no high security concerns.

“We love being audited. All aviation stakeholders are ready to work with you,” he assured the Icao Usap-CMA team.