LAGOS – The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has vowed to go tough on violators of airport standards and rules and touts within the airport environments.
In a bid to ward-off touting activities at the nation’s airports, FAAN said it was considering situating Magistrate Courts within the sector.
A statement by Mrs. Obiageli Orah, Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, FAAN, said that Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, the Managing Director of the agency, stated this on Friday in a meeting held between FAAN management and heads of security agencies at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
The statement hinted that the meeting was organised to intimate airport stakeholders on recent happening at the airport, educate them on the strategic goals of the current management, and discuss ways of enhancing passenger experience and facilitation.
Kuku identified the presence of touts and loitering by members of the public as a major challenge confronting FAAN, stressing that this was making genuine airport users uncomfortable.
She, however, said that FAAN had already set up an anti-touting taskforce within the airports, stressing that any moment soon, the agency would commence the prosecution of suspects.
She said: “There are people who have absolutely no business being at the airport, and they continue to create issues for us. We have an anti-touting taskforce, and as it is, we are going to start the prosecution onsite of those engaging in these illicit activities or loitering around the airport environment and harassing passengers This doesn’t happen elsewhere around the world, and the airport should be a safe space.”
She further expressed that the management was aware of car hire operators violating processes and protocol at the airport, but warned that such a behaviour would no longer be tolerated.
Kuku reiterated the need to reduce manual baggage search at the international wing of the airport.
According to her, a process would be put in place where baggage would go through screening machines, and security officials would view the contents real-time and only pull aside luggage that requires secondary screening.
She insisted that aviation operations in Nigeria needed to improve and be in compliance with the 21st century.
Besides, she assured that with the pace of ongoing work, the Terminal C of the Abuja would be ready for use by December 2024.
She added that more work would be done to develop additional international routes to take advantage of the International Terminal, which she described as “extremely underutilised.”
Capt. Abbas Hashim, the Military Airport Commander, NAIA, on behalf of the other security agencies, commended Kuku for convening the meeting.
He further called for more regular meetings and also better cooperation between the agencies and FAAN.
Other participants at the meeting were Engr. Abiola Muniru Adejare; Director of Engineering Services, Capt. Abdulahi Mohmood; Director of Airport Operations, Henry Agbebire; Director of Special Duties, Alhaji Gambo Aboki; Regional Manager NAIA and Mrs. Ibijoke Olatunji, General Manager Operations.
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