Concerns raised over security gaps at Labasa Airport as PM addresses safety enhancements

Opposition Group of 16 Bloc Member, Premila Kumar has raised concerns about there being a lack of security checks when travelling out of Labasa Airport while Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says he has raised the same issue with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation.

While asking a supplementary question in Parliament following Rabuka’s response to a question regarding JICA’s $15 million assistance for improving safety at the airport and the procurement of high-tech aircraft surveillance systems and equipment, Kumar says when people travel out of Labasa, there are no security checks done but when they enter Labasa through an aircraft, there are all kinds of security checks done.

She says the same happens for Nadi and Nausori International Airports.

Rabuka says he has been told that is part of the World Bank project for Vanua Levu.

He says he had also noticed this and mentioned to the Minister responsible for Civil Aviation that we need to upgrade those security aspects of operations as well.

Speaker, Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu says drugs may be coming to Labasa, Savusavu, and Taveuni too as they do not have sniffer dogs.

We are currently trying to get a response from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Civil Aviation, Viliame Gavoka.

Meanwhile, Rabuka says the official ceremony to endorse the $15 million grant documentation is expected to eventuate in the coming days and will be attended by representatives from JICA, the Japanese Embassy and Fiji Airports.

He says as part of the grant agreement, JICA committed to procuring and installing aircraft surveillance systems at the Nadi International Airport and Labasa Airport, the procurement and delivery of five firetrucks for Nausori, Labasa, Savusavu and Matei Airports, the procurement and delivery of three rescue boats for Nadi International Airport and the provision of consultancy services for improving aviation safety.