The Managing Director/Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, has directed Heads of security agencies to immediately dismantle search tables at screening points and mandated them to leverage on that technology to reduce manual searches and improve interactions with passengers
She gave the directive when she a crucial meeting with the heads of security agencies at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos, today Tuesday to tackle the persistent problems of touting and harassment of passengers at screening points.
A statement signed by the Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection,Mrs Obiageli Orah informed that at the meeting, Kuku launched, “Operation AirClean,” making it clear that she has the full backing of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo.
She emphasised the urgency to clean up airport terminals and eliminate unpatriotic practices among officers.
Her call to action for the leaders of security agencies was straightforward and that it is no longer business as usual.
The initiative was developed to improve collaboration among agencies and to streamline passenger search processes, ultimately enhancing the overall travel experience.
It also aimed at eliminating extortion and harassment of passengers, as well as to completely eradicate touting activities at the airport.
Kuku also pointed out that collaboration and intelligence sharing among agencies were also deemed essential for enhancing service delivery.
The FAAN boss announced that her administration would deploy mystery shoppers equipped with body cameras to assess the performance of officials at both arrival and departure security and screening areas.
The meeting was highly participatory, and representatives from various agencies proposed concrete solutions for improving services to enhance the passenger experience while eliminating touting and soliciting.
The heads of the security agencies said they are committed to heightened oversight of their officers, ensuring accountability on duty.
At the meeting, it was also resolved thIt was also resolved that secure and designated area will be provided as a waiting area for visitors while mobile courts will be set up for expedited persecution of offenders.
Kuku reaffirmed that FAAN directors would actively engage in monitoring efforts, and existing task forces were directed to intensify their activities, adding that any officer found guilty of misconduct must be reported to their agency head without delay.
At the meeting were : representatives from the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigration Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Quarantine Services, Nigerian Police Force, Directorate of Security Services, Nigerian Customs Services, and Aviation Security Services Kuku, driven by her unwavering commitment to enhancing passenger experiences at Nigerian airports, called for unified action to achieve this critical objective and zero tolerance for misconduct.
About The Author
