FAAN launches Operation AirClean to tackle unwholesome practices at airports

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Olubunmi Kuku, has launched Operation AirClean to clean up airport terminals and eliminate unpatriotic practices among security officers.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, launched the project on Monday, December 2, 2024 at a crucial meeting with the heads of all security agencies at Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA) in Lagos.

Kuku ordered the immediate dismantling of search tables at screening points and mandated use of technology to reduce manual searches and improve interactions with passengers.

The purpose of the meeting was to seek for ways to tackle the persistent problems of touting and harassment of passengers at screening points.

The security agencies were the Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Immigration Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Quarantine Services, Nigerian Police Force, Directorate of Security Services, Nigerian Customs Services, and Aviation Security Services.

While calling for collaboration and intelligence sharing among agencies for enhancing service delivery, Kuku informed the security operatives that Operation AirClean is fully supported by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.

She emphasised the urgency to clean up airport terminals and eliminate unpatriotic practices among officers, telling the leaders of the security agencies that “it is no longer business as usual.”

The initiative was developed to improve collaboration among agencies and to streamline passenger search processes, ultimately enhancing the overall travel experience. It also aims to eliminate extortion and harassment of passengers, as well as to completely eradicate touting activities at the airport.

She announced that her administration would deploy mystery shoppers equipped with body cameras to assess the performance of officials at both arrival and departure security and screening areas.

The heads of various security agencies proposed concrete solutions for improving services to enhance the passenger experience while eliminating touting and soliciting. They pledged their commitment to heightened oversight of their officers, ensuring accountability on duty.

It was agreed at the meeting that secure and designated area will be provided as a waiting area for visitors while mobile courts will be set up for expedited prosecution of offenders.

Kuku reaffirmed that FAAN directors would actively engage in monitoring efforts, and existing task forces were directed to intensify their activities. Any officer found guilty of misconduct must be reported to their agency head without delay.

She Kuku called for unified action to achieve this critical objective and zero tolerance for misconduct.