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Tag: FAAN

  • We have checked touting in Abuja airport – FAAN

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), in collaboration with security agencies, have intensified effort to clampdown on touting at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.

    The Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Saleh Dunoma, who stated this in an interview in Abuja, on Friday, warned unauthorised persons to stay away from the airport or risk jail.

    Dunoma said that measures had been put in place to ensure that everyone operating in the airport stayed within his or her designated area.

    He added that adequate signage had been provided at the old and new terminals in addition to the security personnel to guide travellers, adding that no passenger should need assistance from unauthorised persons.

    According to him, some persons have been arrested, investigated and charged to court in recent time, but we now have a situation where some unauthorised persons are now fighting back by planting fake stories about touting.

    “We have cowed touting and there are plans in place, and we are totally in control of touting at the airport because of the grand plan. We have started implementing it.

    “Actually, there is no resurgence of touting rather there is a reduction in their activities but we now have a situation where touts are doing their campaign by planting fake stories.

    “But, certainly we are winning because we have our own campaign and it is bad business for them already.

    “Whatever pictures you are seeing are fake in order to discredit our effort, but we are in control,” he said.

    The FAAN boss also travellers to ensure that they would only transact any form of business inside the terminal and not outside to avoid being extorted.

    He explained that the new terminal was well laid out in such a way that passengers would not have reasons to be confused as to how to move, adding that there were also information desks where inquiries could be made easily.

    “My message to those touts is that the law will catch up with them and they will be punished and I want to appeal to passengers also that they should not encourage anybody to assist them in the airport.

    “The new terminal does not require any assistance; it is well laid out, it is simple and there are signage and there are two information desks in case you need any information.

    “Then, we have FAAN uniform people all over the places that passengers can seek assistance from,” he added.

    Also speaking to NAN, Mr Sani Mahmud, Regional General Manager, North Central, FAAN, said that some persons had been apprehended and prosecuted by the airport security team in recent time.

    Mahmud, who is also Airport Manager, NAIA, said that nine persons had been apprehended since the beginning of the 2019, adding that they included hawkers, illegal cab operators and touts.

    “Three had their cases transferred; six were minors and were detained and later released, but their items were destroyed.

    “We are not taking chances and at the same time, we are aware that some taxi operators whose monopoly had been broken are peddling falsehood to discredit FAAN at all cost.

    “Security has been beefed up around the airport and we are ready for them,” he said.

  • No bomb on Abuja-Lagos Air Peace flight – FAAN

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has described as a false the alarm the claim that a bomb was planted on an early morning Air Peace flight from Abuja to Lagos on Wednesday.

    The General Manager, Corporate Affairs of FAAN, Henrietta Yakubu, made the rebuttal in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

    Mrs Yakubu said the passenger, who allegedly raised the alarm, was said to have a history of mental illness.

    She said the passenger had been handed over to the security agencies and medical experts for assessment.

    “Following the false information, officers of FAAN’s aviation security swiftly evacuated passengers, crew and cargo on board the flight and a bomb squad immediately conducted a thorough check on the aircraft and baggage, which confirmed the information to be false,” she said.

    “After due diligence test has been carried out on the aircraft, a fresh boarding call has been made and passengers have boarded the flight for take-off to the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    “FAAN will like to reassure passengers and all airport users that our airports are safe and secure.

    “They should carry on their lawful activities without any fear,” she said.

    News Agency of Nigeria reports that there was panic in the aircraft on Wednesday morning after a passenger raised an alarm that a bomb was planted in the aircraft.

     

  • FAAN security personnel slumps, dies at Lagos airport

    FAAN security personnel slumps, dies at Lagos airport

    A Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) security personnel, Mr Usman Mohammed, on Friday slumped and died while on duty at the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos.

    Mr Olayinka Abioye, immediate past General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), confirmed the incident to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.

    Abioye said :” The deceased was a former executive member of NUATE, FAAN branch.

    “We learnt he was on duty yesterday when he suddenly collapsed and died before receiving medical attention.”

    He said the deceased, who is survived by a wife and five children, had been buried according to Islamic rites.

    Abioye described Mohammed’s demise as unfortunate, stressing that the FAAN management must give priority and urgent attention to the well being of workers.

    According to him, some aviation security staff are being made to work more than the required eight hours per day without rest periods or compensation.

    “It is said that some of them work for 12 hours at a stretch without break simply because the Directorate of Aviation Security is suffering from dearth of adequate manpower,” he alleged.

    Abioye said although FAAN had been carrying out recruitments from time to time, such exercises were not on need basis as expected but on political expediency.

    He said aviation security, which operates under Section 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) convention, was critical to airport operations and must be adequately staffed.

    Abioye, therefore, urged FAAN management to deploy more personnel to the directorate and also provide adequate medical facilities at the airport to prevent recurrence of such incident.

    NAN

  • MMA2 continues operations as FAAN shelves threat to withdraw services

    MMA2 continues operations as FAAN shelves threat to withdraw services

    The Management of the Murtala Muhammed Airport 2 (MMA2), Lagos on Monday continued flight operations following the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) agreement to shelve plans of withdrawing its services to the terminal over alleged indebtedness.

    FAAN had in a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) stated that it would be withdrawing Aviation Security, fire fighting and rescue operations to MMA2 effective from midnight Dec. 9.

    However, the General Manager, Corporate Affairs FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, confirmed to NAN that negotiations had resumed between the agency and Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operators of the MMA2.

    A NAN aviation correspondent who monitored the situation observed that only Arik Air had moved its Port Harcourt flights temporarily back to the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the airport operated by FAAN due to the threat.

    Other airlines operating at the MMA2 which are Medview, Max Air, Dana Air, Aero Contractors and Azman Air flew their passengers without any hindrances.

    Aero Contractors Lagos- Abuja- Kano and Lagos-Abuja flights departed from the MMA2 at 6.43 a.m. and 6.53 a.m. respectively.

    Similarly, Azman Air Lagos-Abuja flight departed at 6.47 a.m., Dana Air Lagos-Port Harcourt flight departed at 6.48 a.m., Dana Air Lagos-Abuja flight departed at 6.57 a.m. while Max Air Lagos-Abuja-Yola flight departed at 7.05 a.m.

    NAN reports that FAAN had claimed that the MMA2 was indebted to the agency to the tune of N3.9 billion since it began operations on Sept. 8,2007.

    FAAN claimed the money was for the provision of electricity, rent and conference and hotel and the five per cent remittance as agreed in the contract.

    In a letter addressed to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BASL, in November, FAAN gave the breakdown of the indebtedness as at July 31 as N1.4 billion for provision of Aviation Security (AVSEC), another N143 million for Fire/Safety Cost, N2.1million for marshalling and N1.9billion for management cost.

    Similarly, FAAN had also issued similar threats to Gombe, Kebbi , and Bebi airports.

    “This action has become imperative as the management of Gombe airport is indebted to the authority to the tune of N607. 9 million, while Kebbi and Bebi airports are indebted to the tune of N124.5 million and N76. 8 million respectively without any concerted effort to pay up the debt.

    The authority has issued a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) to this effect so as to give operators into the airports the opportunity to review there logistics plan,”Yakubu said in a statement issued on Sunday.

     

  • FAAN to temporarily redirect arrival vehicular movements at Lagos Airport Monday

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) says vehicular movements on the arrival floor of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos will be redirected effective 8:00 a.m. on November 26, due to ongoing construction works.

    FAAN made the announcement in a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Henrietta Yakubu, in Lagos on Friday.

    Mrs Yakubu said the construction was aimed at enhancing facilitation and improving travel experience at the nation’s busiest airport.

    She said: “To this effect, a temporary Arrival Pick Up Zone in the old car park (opposite the terminal building), will be opened.

    “Consequently, arriving passengers will, as usual, exit the halls through Arrival Gate D but will no longer be able to turn left, as the left axis will be closed, due to construction.

    “All passengers after exiting from Arrival Gate D, will now turn right and proceed to the old car park (opposite the terminal building), where a temporary pick up zone has been created.’’

    Mr Yakubu noted that to ensure seamless vehicular movement as this phase of the construction was going on, FAAN had already mobilised relevant security agencies to assist in ensuring improved landside facilitation.

    “While we appeal to all airport users to cooperate with the security agencies on ground and ensure compliance to driving/parking rules, we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause them,’’ she said.

     

  • Unions back FAAN’s proposed increase in passenger service charge

    Unions back FAAN’s proposed increase in passenger service charge

    Some unions in the aviation sector have backed the proposed increment in the Passenger Service Charge (PSC) by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).

    The unions – Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) – made their position known to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos.

    PSC is collected by the airlines upon purchase of tickets and paid to FAAN after completion of the flight.

    The charges are used to cover the cost of maintaining common areas in the passenger terminals, providing passenger information, maintaining security and ensuring that customers use the airport in comfort.

    PSC was last increased in 2011 when the local currency was more than twice the current value and cost of operation was far lesser than what obtains currently.

    The National Secretary of ANAP, Mr Abdulrasaq Saidu, said that the increment would enable FAAN to meet up with its responsibility of providing qualitative services to passengers.

    Saidu said the increment was justified after eight years since the last review, stressing that factors such as inflation and naira devaluation had made it a necessity.

    He said, “Airlines and other airport users have reviewed their charges severally within this period.

    “We have four new terminals built to international standards; the PSC tariff fixed eight years ago will not be suitable for these new terminals owing to new technology, maintenance and other related costs.’’

    According to him, passenger traffic has also grown by more than 65 per cent between 2011 and 2018.

    Saidu said the effect of this increased traffic on the airport facilities needed to be taken into consideration.

    He, however, cautioned that the increase should be moderate in order not to inflict more burden on passengers as some airlines might be forced to also increase their air fares.

    Similarly, Mr Ben Nnabue, National President, NUATE, said that the cost of maintaining safety and efficiency was high, hence FAAN needed to adjust its charges to meet the current realities.

    “Safety and efficiency are expensive. For FAAN to maintain airport facilities to world class standard, there is need to increase their charges.

    “Since the last increment eight years ago, the value of foreign currencies has increased while the costs of electricity generation and diesel have also risen,’’ he said.

     

  • Report bribe demanding officials to appropriate authorities — FAAN tells passengers

    Report bribe demanding officials to appropriate authorities — FAAN tells passengers

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has advised passengers and airport users to report any of its security officers demanding bribe to the appropriate authorities.

    Herietta Yakubu, general manager, corporate affairs, FAAN, gave the advice in a statement on Friday, in Lagos.

    Yakubu said the advice was necessitated by the allegations that some FAAN aviation security personnel were demanding bribe before allowing airport users into the terminal.

    She said that the airport was a public facility and no charge was required from any genuine user to access the facility. According to her, access might, however, be restricted or controlled some times in order to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference at the airports.

    Operations at Nigerian airports, particularly the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, have been marred with allegations of bribery and extortion in recent weeks.

    Recall that a Nigerian actor, Aremu Afolayan, had earlier in the week lamented that he was extorted by airport officials in a viral video.

    But FAAN, in its reaction on Friday, urged airport users not to give out bribes to rapacious airport officials.

    “All passengers and airport users who might want to transact some business at the airports are advised not to give money to anyone to gain access into the airport and report related cases to appropriate authorities,” the statement said.

    “FAAN remains committed to her core values of safety, security and comfort,” she added.

  • Report any officer demanding bribe – FAAN

    The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has advised passengers and airport users to report any of its security officers demanding bribe to the appropriate authorities.

    Mrs Herientta Yakubu, General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, gave the advice in a statement on Friday, in Lagos.

    Yakubu said the advice was necessitated by the allegations that some FAAN aviation security personnel were demanding to be bribed before allowing airport users into the terminal.

    She said that the airport was a public facility and no charge was required from any genuine user to access the facility.

    According to her, access might, however, be restricted or controlled sometimes in order to safeguard civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference at the airports.

    “All passengers and airport users who might want to transact some business at the airports are advised not to give money to anyone to gain access into the airport and report related cases to appropriate authorities.

    “FAAN remains committed to her core values of safety, security and comfort,” she added.

    NAN

  • FAAN aviation security personnel to start bearing arms in three months — Minister

    Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation, says Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) will start bearing arms within the next three months.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mr Sirika made the disclosure on Thursday at the 5th Aviation Stakeholders Forum in Abuja.

    “Within the next three months, we will get the FAAN AVSEC to start bearing arms like their counterparts in the Transportation Security Agency of the United States, ” he said.

    The minister recalled the Turkish Airline incident in 2016 where some aggrieved passengers overpowered AVSEC officials at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, and gained access to the tarmac.

    Mr Sirika also cited the recent occurrence at Sokoto Airport where some political supporters forcefully entered the tarmac, stressing that these actions were clear security breaches.

    He said the personnel would be provided with new uniforms, sniffer dogs and other things that would enable them discharge their responsibilities of securing and safe guarding airline officials, passengers and other airport users.

    “So, for us, our focus is to ensure that we are secured and safe. Aviation is not just about building terminals because safety is one of the most critical aspect,” Mr Sirika noted.

    The minister said Nigeria scored 96.45 per cent in the last International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Security Audit.

    He said the country also attained level three out of the four levels of ICAO Safety Audit, thereby moving it from red to green which was a good way of attracting investors to the sector.

    Mr Sirika said the Federal Government had consolidated on these achievements by the successful Certification of the Abuja and Lagos airports as well as the ongoing processes to certify the Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu airports.

    Earlier, Sabiu Zakari, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, noted that the forum was aimed at interacting with the various stakeholders in the aviation industry and how to address the prevailing challenges.

  • Abuja airport new terminal begins operation in October — FAAN

    The Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Saleh Dunoma, says the new terminal building under construction at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja will become operational in October.

    Dunoma gave the assurance in an interview with newsmen when President Muhammadu Buhari, inspected the project after the inauguration of Abuja Metro line on Thursday.

    He said the government and other stakeholders were prevailing on the contractors, China Civil Engineering and Construction Company to ensure the completion of the project by August.

    Dunoma said all the challenges that hitherto hindered the completion of the project had been addressed.

    He explained that the issue of water and power supply had been handled by the government, adding that the Ministry of Federal Capital Territory had promised to connect the airport to its water supply system.

    According to him, Federal Executive Council has approved an independent power supply for the airport.

    “So all these works are coming on and by October, they will all be functional and that is when we will start using the terminal building.

    “We are pressing the contractor to finish in August so that we can start operations in October and all the stakeholders are working together to ensure this.

    “The relocation of control tower and fire station has nothing to do with the terminal building.

    “Those issues are going to be handle in the next stage of the items of work that we need to carry out but that will not stop us from using the terminal building.”

    FAAN boss expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done, adding that the train station would be linked to the existing terminal for seamless movement of passengers.

    He explained that there were still more works going on within the airport which includes two car park buildings to be constructed on both wings of the terminal.

    According to him, there are so many things to be done but between now and October when we plan to start operations in the new terminal, the road network would have been completed.

    “Abuja and Port Harcourt airports terminal buildings are on the same level but because of the volume of traffic in Abuja, we prefer to start operations here first.

    “You can see there are congestion here and there and if we must ease up operation, we must complete this project

    “We are also working hard to put old facilities in order so that by the time we start operations here everything will be renewed.

    Dunoma said that there was a programme in place to ensure the execution of the second runway project.

    The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, said the rail would make movement in and out of the airport to be seamless.

    Sirika said the light rail would also make transportation more efficient, adding that it would allow people to connect to their businesses and work places in much faster time than before.

    “It will reduce the pressure on our roads, ease traffic congestion on all the arteries that lead to airports around the world.

    “So, Abuja will be a classical example of multi modern integration and transportation which eases things and makes them better,” he said.