Airport environment and its workers anywhere in the world is the first point of contact for any foreigner, visiting for the first time, whether in Nigeria or elsewhere. The beauty of aviation business is that, it has contracted the world into a small global village and that is why air transport would continue to be in high demand, being the fastest means of transportation. Countries of the world do not take their gateways for granted, especially now that there is upsurge of terror attacks all over the world, coupled with the activities of drug cartels, lurking around, who may cash in or take advantage of any opportunity to spring surprises.
The constant arrests in recent times of drug couriers by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), across major airports in the country is a pointer that it’s not yet uhuru in so many areas of our national life particularly in the area of corrupt practices, considered as the greatest bane now in our society. T he Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), under Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu, Managing Director/ CEO of the organisation, announced not too long ago, the suspension of some of its staff and the withdrawal of On Duty Card of their accomplice, from the Nigeria Immigration Service for extorting a passenger at the premier gateway, Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja, Lagos.
This incident happened on the heels of an incident involving a staff of Arik, who was also caught in the same act, at the local wing of the same airport. T his development calls for vigilance by the authorities of the airport to avoid dragging Nigeria’s image further in the mud. We are aware that various unions operating at the airport like: Air Transport Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN), Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE) and many others, frown on casualization and poor remuneration of workers, because of the sensitive nature of the airline industry.
The unions also try to discourage any personnel who may be tempted by those who have hidden agenda to carry out, especially now the country is fighting the hydra headed security problem that has plagued the country for many years. This development however calls for all hands to be on deck to support the management of FAAN insanitising the airports because of its strategic importance. Beyond FAAN, this is awake-up call for other government agencies to seriously look into the activities of their staffers on how they conduct themselves before those they are supposed to serve on daily basis. It is very embarrassing that an airline staff in uniform, whether government or private, should indulge in asking for gratification under any guise from a customer who may have patronisedhis/ her organisation.
This practice should be discouraged, going forward by the authorities concerned. To build the Nigeria of our dreams, everyone has a role to play and people, should please change their mindset for good, that is the only way to go. The country in recent years has had enough. Those determined to tarnish the image of the country at any given opportunity should not be allowed to perform their subterfuge. This can only be achieved though if all hands are on deck, especially at a time like this when the yearnings of the people are so loud, such that, no one can claim ignorance of what the society is going through, particularly the issue of corruption that has become a way of life, so to say, in the country.
We call on the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), to beam its searchlight more beyond the MMIA, now that it has started the war against extortion and all other form of sharp practices currently happening at the airport, that is our heritage and national monument. Again, we charge other government establishments to join in this fight against extortion that has become a norm almost everywhere, to save the country from avoidable embarrassment caused by the few amongst us. We expect thorough investigation on those already caught in the act.
The culprit among them should be sanctioned, while those whose hands are clean should be let off the hook by FAAN. Our collective image must not be soiled by a few rotten individuals.
