Security at Nsimalen Airport Preoccupies Gov’t

Transport Minister, Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe welcomed at ADC by its DG, Thomas Owona Assoumou

The Minister of Transport, Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe paid a visit to the Yaounde Nsimalen Airport recently to urge authorities of the Airports Management Authority, ADC, to review security measures there. Minister Ngalle Bibehe was welcomed upon arrival at ADC by workers of the institution led by its DG, Thomas Owona Assoumou.

The Transport Minister had come to see for himself the functioning of the Airport and to give instructions towards an improved environment there.

            Talking to the authorities of ADC, the Minister said his first impressions are good. But he said he would like for security to be improved at the Airport.

           

Minister Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe talks to the press at the end of his fact-finding
visit to the Yaounde-Nsimalen Airport.

« We must ensure reinforced security in and around Airport. That is why I have instructed that verifications are carried out to prove to our users that our airports are secure. We must let our users to understand that we do not take the issue of security lightly. When you travel abroad you realize that they ask you at the Airport to take off your shoes, your belt or your suit, and this is not humiliating; it is because they want you to be sure that you are safe where you are,» explained minister Jean Ernest Massena Ngalle Bibehe.

            He noted that the Yaounde Nsimalen Airport was the main entry port into the capital city and so security there should be guaranteed at all times and at all cost. But the minister insisted that security maintenance should be done in strict respect of international norms.

            He urged the workers at the airport to be circumspect, polite, vigilant and courteous. 

            It was the first official visit that Ngalle Bibehe was paying to the Airport since he became minister of transport on 2 March 2017.

            The Nsimalen Airport went operational in 1991. According to its manager, Léopold Longo,  493.000 passengers used the Airport in 2017.