The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has launched ‘Operation Air Clean’ aimed at sanitising airport terminals by eliminating unpatriotic practices among officers and tackling the persistent problems of touting and harassment of passengers at screening points.
The managing director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku announced this during a crucial meeting with the heads of all security agencies at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Lagos.
She said the initiative had received the backing of the minister of aviation and aerospace development, Mr Festus Keyamo.
She said he call to action for the leaders of security agencies was straight, that “it is no longer business as usual.”
The managing director explained that the initiative was developed to improve collaboration among agencies and to streamline passenger search processes, ultimately enhancing the overall travel experience.
“It also aims to eliminate extortion and harassment of passengers, as well as to completely eradicate touting activities at the airport,” she added.
Kuku ordered the immediate dismantling of search tables at screening points and mandated that technology be leveraged to reduce manual searches and improve interactions with passengers.
She further said 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 and called for collaboration and intelligence sharing among agencies to enhance service delivery.
The spokesperson for FAAN, Mrs Obiageli Orah said in a statement that the meeting was participatory as the representatives of various agencies proposed concrete solutions for improving services to enhance the passenger experience while eliminating touting and soliciting.
“The heads of the security agencies committed themselves to heightened oversight of their officers, ensuring accountability on duty.
“It 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 prosecution of offenders.
“Kuku reaffirmed that FAAN directors would actively engage in monitoring efforts, and existing task forces were directed to intensify their activities. Any officer found guilty of misconduct must be reported to their agency head without delay,” she said.
The meeting was attended by representatives from the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigration Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Quarantine Services, Nigeria Police Force, Directorate of Security Services, Nigeria Customs Services, and aviation security services.
