The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria on Wednesday said that it had concluded plans to evict touts from the nation’s airports.
The authority’s General Manager, Corporate Communications, Yakubu Dati, told the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos that the Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, had directed the elimination of low level corruption.
Chidoka had on Tuesday ordered FAAN and the Nigerian Air Force to within two weeks flush out touts loitering around the arrival hall of the Lagos International Airport.
Chidoka said: “A mobile court for the airport would be requested for from the Lagos State Government, where defaulters of airport rules would be tried and sanctioned immediately.”
The minister had also promised to provide more CCTV cameras at the airports to enhance security surveillance.
Dati explained that the authority had keyed into the aviation minister’s campaign against low level corruption and expressed optimism that the scourge would soon be eliminated.
According to him, corruption has dented the image of the country.
He appealed to passengers to bear with FAAN the pains and inconveniences being encountered as a result of the construction of the new terminal.
The FAAN spokesman assured that by this time next year, the situation would have changed for the better.
Dati said: “I urge intending air travelers to strictly adhere to airport rules and regulations to have seamless trips during and after the Yuletide.
“These measures have been put in place to ensure hitch free passenger movement.”
Dati advised intending air passengers to take advantage of the newly launched passenger service portal, to plan their trips.
“Intending air passengers can get necessary information needed such as airline delays, on time departures and flight cancellations from www.aviationportal.com.ngbefore embarking on their trips,” he said.
The FAAN official also cautioned passengers not to carry on board prohibited items such as liquids and inflammable items.
Dati further advised travellers to secure their luggage and should not hand them to anyone at the airport, adding that any luggage left unattended will be destroyed by security agents.