FAAN Implements Osinbajo’s Executive Order, Bans Luggage Screening At Airports

The company in a statement by its acting general manager, Henrietta Yakubu, said the move is in line with the Executive Order recently issued by the Acting President Yemi Osinbajo after his surprise visit to the airport in April.

The statement however did not indicate when the order will be implemented on all other airports across the country.

The statement reads: “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, she said: “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.”