The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo (SAN), has introduced a series of reforms under the initiative “Operation Air Clean” to curb the harassment of travelers and enhance service delivery at Nigeria’s international airports.
Announcing the measures in a statement on Thursday, Keyamo highlighted the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN)’s new strategies to tackle corruption and improve passenger experiences, particularly at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.
One of the major reforms is the dissolution of joint inspection tables, replaced by intelligence-driven searches and advanced scanning technology to expedite security checks. Additionally, passenger processing will be streamlined, with officers from the Department of State Services (DSS) and Immigration Service sharing counters to reduce congestion and improve efficiency.
To further strengthen the initiative, Keyamo approved the activation of mobile courts for the swift prosecution of offenders, including touts, and enforced a zero-tolerance policy against unauthorized activities by Bureau de Change operators and car-hire personnel.
FAAN is also set to introduce infrastructure upgrades, such as improved lighting, enhanced signage, free Wi-Fi for passengers, and designated meet-and-greet areas.
Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, Managing Director of FAAN, emphasized the importance of stakeholder and public collaboration in ensuring the success of “Operation Air Clean.” She called on all parties to support the initiative to create a safer, more efficient, and passenger-friendly airport environment.
The reforms come in response to increased passenger complaints about harassment and inefficiencies at Nigeria’s international airports, signaling a commitment to overhauling operations and restoring public confidence in the aviation sector.
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