The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), has insisted that top public officials and very important personalities (VIPs), who do not comply with the new protocols that have been approved for aviation sector will be denied access to the airport terminals.Â
This was disclosed in a public release through a tweet post by FAAN on their official twitter handle on Friday, July 17, 2020.Â
This is coming against 2 acts of infractions on the rules and guidelines for air passengers and airport users by the former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari and Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri. Yari had on Saturday, July 11, 2020, at Aminu Kano International airport Kano refused to adhere to the port health protocols and procedures.
Governor Fintiri on the other on Tuesday, July 14, 2020, at the Port Harcourt International airport, in the company of 8 other passengers refused to observe airport security and port health protocol.
FAAN had earlier condemned the conduct of Yari and Fintiri for their refusal to adhere to airport security and port health protocols at the Kano and Port-Harcourt airports respectively.Â
FAAN in the tweet post said, ‘’The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) notes with dismay, two acts of infractions on the rules and guidelines for air passengers and airport users. The first incident occurred on Saturday, July 11, 2020 at the Aminu Kano International airport when former governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari, declined to adhere to the port health protocols and procedures.’’Â
‘’The second incident occurred on Tuesday, July 14 2020, when the Governor of Adamawa State, Alhaji Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, arrived at the Port-Harcourt International airport, in company of eight other passengers. He also fragrantly refused to observe the airport security and port health protocols.’’Â
‘’As a responsible institution of the Federal Government of Nigeria, FAAN holds all officials of state in high esteem and accords them all the courtesies their status deserves. Therefore, FAAN has no personal issues with Alhaji Abdulaziz Yari and Governor Fintiri.’’Â
PUBLIC STATEMENT
1. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) notes with dismay, two acts of infractions on the rules and guidelines for air passengers and airport users. The first incident occurred on Saturday, July 11, 2020, at the Aminu Kano International Airport,— Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (@FAAN_Official) July 17, 2020
FAAN also pointed out that these protocols that were flouted by these 2 VIPs were duly approved by the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 and were intended to protect airport users and contain the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.Â
Going further, FAAN in the statement said, ‘’By their actions, the two personalities put at risk not only themselves, but also other airport users. These protocols are now part of the new normal all over the world and no person, no matter how highly placed is exempted from them, else he would be denied access to our facilities.’’Â
‘’FAAN wishes to restate the need for all air travellers to strictly adhere to the security, public health and operation protocols put in place to make air travel in the country safe, secure and efficient, especially in the midst of this pandemic.’’Â
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They urged the government officials and VIPs to not just comply with the rules but also provide leadership to other air travelers by projecting good conduct and protecting public safety.Â
FAAN insisted that it will continue to enforce protocols and advised air travelers to adhere strictly to them.Â
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