“CIVIL AVIATION SECURITY IS VERY IMPORTANT”

Some 22 Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority, CCAA staff have been sworn in as safety and security inspectors. These include five safety and 17 security inspectors. The solemn swearing in ceremony took place at the Appeal Court in Yaounde, December 20^th, 2024. Eco OUTLOOK Newspaper caught up with one of them, Madam Kang Jennette Epede, (who is also a NEXSAN GSS Nyassoso ex-students of the 1979 batch), for an interview after the oath taking ceremony.

EXCERPTS;

You just took your oath with the other 22 colleagues as Civil Aviation Security Inspector. How do you appreciate this?

I appreciate the fact that my hierarchy has recognize my hard work, endurance and dedication to service. It has been very challenging during my almost 17 years of service and I thank God for the strength and knowledge in overcoming these challenges. This recognition I think is the will of God and His time is the best and I am grateful.

The task of a civil aviation security inspector can be very challenging. What is your task all about?

I have been an inspector for almost ten years but I was not sworn in as a judicial police officer. As an inspector I was limited to carrying out inspections, make observations and then emit recommendations. But with the new task after swearing in, I can now draw up a proces verbal ( legal report or minutes) that can be deposited in court for judicial action. So this is an added value. Before now, even if I find faults or lapses during my inspection,  I needed the collaboration of a police or gendarme official to finish the report process. But after having been sworn in I can now complete the process of inspection and file a complaint in the court.

You seem to have a passion in this civil aviation security.

You are right. Honestly speaking I have that passion in aviation security issues. Let me use this opportunity to say I have been the first  female Cameroonian chief of aviation security,  First female Cameroonian English auditor, instructor , inspector. Now I have some young female colleagues who have joined me. This crowning today is just the result of that passion.

Together with the other male colleagues we are going to put in our best to ensure maximum security in civil aviation in our country.

The Oath taking calls for strict respect of the tenets of the profession. How  do intend to uphold this?

The task as I said is challenging because you deal with people of varied character. In this domain threats are permanent and the perpetrators are people like you and me. This calls for vigilance and strict respect of the law. You are obliged to report all cases, be strict and avoid falling prey to corruption. You heard the President of the court cautioning and emphasizing on integrity, probity and loyalty , protect the security and lives of individuals, the property of the state. The security in civil aviation is paramount and you have ensure that this is upheld irrespective of who is involved. Not even your mother or father should be spared.

What does it take to become a civil aviation security inspector

To become a security inspector in the civil aviation there is first a background check. You have to be someone of integrity, confidential, loyal and of course hard working. It takes the collaboration between the Ministry of transport, Justice to select those sworn in today. In addition to your academic background  and professional competences you need to meet up with the above tenets to qualify to be sworn in at very high level.

Any last word?

I am very grateful to my hierachy, especially the director general, Mrs Paule Avomo Assoumou Koki for the confidence bestowed on my person. Hard work pays and I will like to encourage my colleagues to continue to work even harder so together we can produce the needed results expected from us.

THANKS YOU FOR TALKING TO ECO OUTLOOK.