If you traveled into Nigeria recently and as is typical with most Nigerians with a heavy luggage then it is not unlikely that you may have been faced with a N2,000 charge by FAAN for each luggage carried. According to Punch, the General Manager, Corporate Communications, FAAN, Mr. Yakubu Dati, denied claims that the agency was charging passengers N2,000 on each luggage.
“The charge does not apply to all passengers but to cargo agents who use passenger planes to transport their cargoes, often times 20 to 30 pieces of luggage unaccompanied or accompanied by proxies. This fraudulent practice mounts untold pressure on our conveyor belts and short-changes FAAN of its much needed revenue. Cargo agents are well aware that all cargoes must go through the designated cargo terminal where they go through laid down processes for safety and security procedures.”
This charge was introduced recently and off course has been met with a lot of disdain. The Punch newspaper writes that the Consumer Protection Council has now requested that FAAN should review the implementation of the charge with a view to differentiation a Cargo Agent from a Passenger.
