FAAN Bans Customs From Luggage Screening at MMIA Departure Hall

Following the executive order given by the acting President Yemi Osinbajo, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has stopped luggage screening at MMIA in Lagos state.

Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria

 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, has announced the ban of luggage screening by Customs officials and other Airport officials at the departure hall of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

 

This was made public in a statement released by FAAN's acting general manager, Henrietta Yakubu, the Managing Director of FAAN, Saleh Dunoma, said this was in line with the Executive Order recently issued by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo when he paid an unscheduled visit to the airport in April. 

 

"The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced its pledge to an uncompromised implementation of Executive Order as directed by the Acting President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. The Managing Director and Chief Executive, Engr. Saleh Dunoma made this known after a meeting with all the participating agencies at the committee level set up to fast track the implementation of the Order at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos today.

“As indicated by the Executive Order, there will be no compromise with the procedures. This means whatever security procedure or security checks we adopt, will not be compromised. I told them that we have to meet the deadline set by the Executive Order. They have mapped out their strategy in line with the Order, but they need to meet regularly to ensure that this strategy is adhere to and improved.

Concentration is on Lagos Airport because it is the key airport, due to its size, complexity and passenger traffic. If we get it right in Lagos, we will get it right in other airports. Once we do that, I believe all the other airports will be easy for us. The participating agencies are: Nigeria Police Force, Directorate of State Security, Quarantine Services, Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Immigration Services, Nigeria Customs Services, FAAN Aviation Security amongst others. I am confident that other participating agencies will support FAAN efforts to achieve success in the deadline and implementation.

All participating agencies are ready to key into this big committee set up for the implementation. Everybody is contributing positively. From all indications, all hands are on deck to make sure the Executive Order is implemented successfully. FAAN does not envisage any problem at all, and it is fully committed to give all participating agencies its full support to close any obstacle that may arise.

The Executive Order does not give room for pre-checks on luggage. All checks should be done in designated areas. Luggage should not to be checked at the departure hall. On the sustainability of the Executive Order: “Once it is implemented, it must be sustained that is why everybody must own it. The agencies are sitting together now to make sure that they own the Executive Order. Once you own it then, it will be sustained.” the statement read.