Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos at the peak period of passenger movement
As intelligence report reveals there are still pockets of resistance to the new policy that streamlined the passengers’ facilitation at international airports, especially at the border control point/post {where customs look out for illegal imports, immigration officers check passports and visas and other immigration paraphernalia, as another scan for narcotics, etc… } travellers have been reminded for the umpteenth time, to shun overtures that intend turning them to the merciful Samaritan.
Mrs Oluwabunmi Kuku, Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, reiterated the charge to travellers in a television broadcast that appraised her first year in office.
Kuku said although the new policy that dismantled the round table at the border post in Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja, Lagos, for seamless facilitation, had been largely accepted, she however noted that intelligence report confirmed pockets of resistance by a few recalcitrant officers.
Mrs Kuku gave the bold assurance never relenting in her struggle for suave, chaste and courteous facilitation, which will be the acceptable conduct and service compatible with the Airport Council International, ACI, Charter.
Oluwabunmi Oluwaseun Kuku, the Amazon who is succeeding even where men had dared not to thread, acknowledged that great strides have been made in the entire gamut of facilitation and at the border control, but owned up that some recalcitrant personnel are yet to let go those toxic conduct.
She however resolved that, if the bird as it were, continued to fly without perching, the airport management would also continue to sporadically unleash its dragnet without aiming its shots.
Kuku said in conjunction with the aviation minister, Mr Festus Keyamo, the duo held meetings with the leadership of all other agencies whose personnel had statutory duties to perform at the airport.
She however said the resistance was not unexpected, “I’m sure you know that in Nigeria, in this economy, there’s no hard decision or policy that is put out that does not face any resistance. We have faced some resistance with implementing that policy, but I assure you that the Honorable Minister and I are extremely relentless”.
As evidence that the airport management is undaunted she narrated what FAAN have accomplished in that regard thus, “We did find one or two people who were culpable. As I mentioned we have a magistrate court that has been set up in some of our locations. We do make sure that they’re prosecuted, they’re set as good examples”.
Hence, Kuku warned, “And I also want to use this medium to let every Nigerian know that if you are stopped at the airport and someone is asking you to support them in any illicit activities, you will find yourself culpable, along with those officials. So, I’m saying very boldly again, and I’m supporting my Honorable Minister to say that our airports are tout free zones, and we ask that you stop” she entreated.
The cool, calm and unabrasive Amazon said a series of meetings were held with the National Security Adviser, and the Airport Security Council meetings had thoroughly thrashed the menace of touting and other vices perpetrated in the airport vicinity and of which at times, unsuspecting passengers were recruited.
Oluwabunmi Kuku also agreed that FAAN had a duty to sensitize the general public to those vices saying, “So it’s also our responsibility as Nigerians. You’ve heard me say it. You’ve heard the minister saying, “If any agency, including mine, (FAAN) comes to you within the airport premises and wants to engage in such activities, it is your responsibility to tell them no. If they ask you for funding, tell them, no,” she said.
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