Federal government has approved measures aimed at curbing harassment faced by travellers with various agencies of government stationed at airports.
Gatekeepers News reports that minister of aviation and aerospace development, Festus Keyamo announced this in a post on X on Thursday.
Keyamo said the measures were necessary after receiving several complaints about harassment faced at airports.
He wrote, “Yesterday, I approved some far-reaching measures by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) aimed at curbing the menace of harassment of travelers by various agencies of government stationed at our international airports.”
“We have received too many complaints and it is time to act decisively!”
According to documents the monster posted; after a high-level meeting chaired by Olubunmi Kuku, managing director (MD) of FAAN, and heads of agencies, taskforce, and FAAN directors, ‘Operation Air Clean’ has been launched to address critical challenges at Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) and the general aviation terminal (GAT).
It reads, “These measures, fully endorsed by the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, are designed to eliminate corrupt practices, curb illicit activities, and enhance the travel experience, particularly during the high-volume end- of-year travel season.”
To promote transparency and streamline inspection processes, FAAN said it will eliminate joint inspection tables at MMIA.
It said, “There shall be immediate dissolution of joint inspection tables by security agencies, transition to intelligence-based searches, scanners, and individual profiling, and development of a dedicated area for camera-based passenger observation.”
To streamline passenger processing, the agency said Department of States Service (DSS) and immigration service personnel will now share counters to reduce checkpoints for outbound passengers, enhancing travel flow.
The agency said, “Customs will relocate to the AVSEC screening point for money declaration.”
“Transparency in Search Procedures: On arriving, secondary screening will be done in a profiling room. The rooms will be situated at Terminal 1 and 2.”
“Real-time screens will be installed in the profiling rooms, displaying the names, agencies, and contact details of officers on duty to ensure transparency.”
Additionally, to redefine agency roles and business activities, FAAN said National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) personnel will partner with Aviation Security (AVSEC) at screening points and conduct roving checks in the arrival hall.
The agency noted that on the other hand, “DSS officers will rove around the departure and screening areas.”
It added that there would be an immediate activation of a mobile court to expedite the prosecution of offenders, especially touts.
FAAN said there would be zero tolerance for misconduct and there would be immediate prosecution of any bureau de change operator (BDC) or car-hire staff found loitering or engaging in unauthorised activities.
It said, “Also, the immediate prosecution of any BDC or Car-hire staff found outside of the designated areas.”
“Defaulting businesses will also face shutdowns and withdrawals of rights to operate in terminals.”
The agency said there would be improved lighting for landside and concourse areas as well as large signs enforcing a three-minute pickup rule and promoting free WiFi for passengers at MMIA.
FAAN will also introduce a parking system requiring payment for short and long-term parking and regulate car-hire vehicles.
The agency noted that a limited number of car hire vehicles will be allowed in the car park at any time.
It said all measures will be enforced to eliminate touting and harassment of passengers by drivers.
