Last week, both the country’s aviation sector and the public space were enmeshed in an unpalatable news contained in a viral video where a woman purported to be a passenger was seen accusing some staff of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) of extortion before she can be allowed to clear her Luggage.
In the video, the woman who claimed to be a passenger and queried why she was asked to pay N5,000 to clear her bags in the process created scene as she went ahead to assault the officials.
Throughout the period the drama lasted, though the airport officials kept their cool, not quite long, the viral video elicited reactions on the social media with majority of commenters making negative remarks against the airport workers in support of the woman without confirming the authenticity of the allegation.
A reaction from FAAN, whose officials were at the centre of the drama has however changed the narrative of what actually transpired between the woman and the airport officials.
According to a statement issued by the airport authority in reaction to the video, FAAN through its director of public affairs and consumer protection, Mrs Obiageli Orah, declared that contrary to the earlier claim by the woman in the video that she was a passenger, she was actually a cargo agent transacting illegal operations at the airport on the said day.
Orah in the statement said: “The individual involved was not a passenger but a cargo agent conducting illegal operations at the airport. She refused to pay the stipulated charges for the cargo and behaved in an unacceptable manner, damaging equipment and straining our resources. We would also like to clarify that there was no form of molestation by FAAN staff, neither was there any request for a bribe from our staff during the incident. This was simply an act of blackmail. Our staff was simply ensuring that the correct levy was paid.”
FAAN however, urged all cargo agents and members of the public to note that cargo operations should be restricted to designated cargo areas, “utilising proper vehicles, personnel and pay the levies. Our cargo policies are designed to ensure adherence to international best practices, prevent damage to airport facilities, and prioritising customer service and safety”.
To further put the record straight, the airport authority confirmed that it statutorily imposes a fine of N5,000 on non- compliant cargoes for various reasons ranging from failure to utilise designated cargo terminals, damage to carousels resulting from improper cargo. Handling.
FAAN equally admonished the public to adhere to the rules guiding airport operations to avoid similar incidents in the future.
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