By Divine Ihechimerem
Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo has expressed concern over reports of begging and extortion at Nigerian international airports by some dishonest individuals.
In a social media post on Sunday, the Minister conveyed his dismay, noting that airport staff soliciting and extorting money from travelers have tarnished the country’s reputation. He mentioned receiving constant complaints from concerned citizens about the issue.
Keyamo highlighted that while most of the involved agencies are not under the Aviation Ministry’s control, he is collaborating with other ministers, government branches, and relevant agencies to address the problem. He assured that a solution is forthcoming.
Over the weekend, Managing Director, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku said the federal government had established a dedicated task force to eliminate touting, extortion, and illicit activities at the airports.
In an interview with newsmen in Lagos, Mrs Kuku stated that this is coming on the heels of a series of reports regarding passenger harassment and extortion at airports
She emphasized her commitment to creating a seamless and pleasant experience for travellers, adding that her administration has launched an extensive campaign to crack down on these illegal activities.
Mrs Kuku also announced plans to establish magistrate courts at international airports to expedite the legal process for prosecuting offenders.
The Director of Special Duties at FAAN, Mr Henry Agbebire, is leading this initiative as the task force chairman. She has stated that she intends to directly interact with all government entities that operate at the airports to guarantee that the anti-touting and anti-extortion policies are followed.
Issuing warnings to all airport personnel and FAAN staff, Mrs Kuku stated that strict disciplinary actions would be taken against anyone engaging in illicit practices.
She stressed that the era of business as usual is over and highlighted the administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards misconduct. The task force has been mandated to enforce discipline among airport staff and maintain a culture of professionalism at all levels.
To achieve the ultimate goal, dedicated phone lines and QR codes are to be set up to provide passengers with feedback on their airport experience.
The FAAN boss emphasized that all airport personnel must prominently display their on-duty cards and name tags for easy identification and accountability.