The era of multiple checks at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos is over as the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has formally commenced the implementation of executive order issued by the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
The core component of the implementation which started in collaboration with all agencies at the airport is the phasing out of multiple checks at the departure hall of the airport.
Managing Director of FAAN, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, who spoke after a meeting with all the agencies at the international wing of MMA declared that "there would be no more multiple checks and that is why we have come together."
The agencies operating at the airport include the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Port Health Service and Military Airport Command.
It would be recalled that Osinbajo had last month issued the executive order that would enhance ease of doing business at ports of entry.
The order officially takes effect on June 8 but the implementation started on Tuesday, Daily Trust learnt.
Parts of Osinbajo’s order read, "All relevant MDAs at the airports shall within 30 days of the issuance of this Order merge their respective departure and arrival interfaces into a single customer interface, without prejudice to necessary back-end procedures.
"There shall be no touting whatsoever by official or unofficial persons at any port in Nigeria. On duty staff shall be properly identified by uniform and official cards. Off duty staff shall stay away from the ports except with the express approval of the agency head. The FAAN Aviation Security (AVSEC) and Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Security shall enforce this order".
The FAAN MD said all the agencies had stuck together to effectively and seamlessly implement the order without compromising on security procedures at the airport.
He said henceforth agencies would check luggage of passengers at designated areas and not within the departure halls as was the case before.
Dunoma stated that the authority had chosen to commence the implementation with MMA which is the busiest and the most visited airport in the country, adding that the implementation would be extended to other airports.
He said, "Everybody is ready to key into this committee that is set up for the implementation and everybody is contributing positively. From all indications, all hands are on deck to make sure that the executive order is implemented.
"I don’t envisage any problem in its implementation. We will support the agencies when the need arises by giving them additional facilities depending on what they are requesting for.
"I just came out of the meeting. I heard some of the things they are talking about, issues being raised as a result of the implementation of the executive order. I gave them my words that I will support them with whatever issues they might have as a result of the implementation. I also emphasized that as a result of the implementation of the executive order there would be no compromise".
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