Worried by the flagrant disregard for parking rules by Very Important Personalities (VIPS), military-men and other top government officials at airports across the country, the Federal Government has ordered the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure strict compliance with the rules.
The direct abelnews.com gathered the indiscriminate parking at the various airports by VIPs and other top government officials, which constitutes vehicular traffic congestion and security risks.
To avert preventable security breaches, which could put the nation’s airports under security threat at a period the world battles intense security threats daily, the Federal government in a circular directed that every motorist coming to airports across the country must comply with Civil Aviation measures and other procedures that would guarantee safety at airport environment as put in place by FAAN.
The directive to FAAN is contained in a circular signed by the Secretary to the Government of Federation (SGF) , Engr. Babachir David Lawal (FNSE); Ref No SGF/ OP / I /S.3/XI/910 and dated June 24, 2016 and obtained by abelnews.com.
Babachir noted that the growing incidence of flagrant violation of traffic regulations by VIP and Top Government Officials at the nation’s airports has resulted in indiscriminate parking of vehicles in front of terminal buildings thereby leading to long queues and vehicular traffic congestion, contrary to air transport operation regulations.
It also noted that the violation constitutes possible security threat to the airports.
The circular stated that the incidence has deteriorated to the extent that personal aides of some of the highly placed persons and top government officials manhandle Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, whose duties are to ensure safety and security in the airports.
“The attention of the Government has been drawn to the growing incidence of flagrant violation of traffic regulations at the frontage of the terminal buildings which consequently precipitate long queues and congestions contrary to Air Transport operation regulation as spelt out in Annexes 9 and 17 of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Convention, the incident has deteriorated to the extent that personal aides of some of these highly placed persons and top Government Officials manhandle Aviation Security (AVSEC) officials whose duty it is to ensure safety and protection of the terminal buildings passengers and the general public.” the circular read in part
It continued, “To avert this undesirable phenomenon which portends greater danger in the light of the current security climate of intensified concerns about the possible use of vehicle as mobile bombs, all VIPs and Top Government officials are enjoined to comply with all Civil Aviation measures and procedures put in place by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN) to ensure safety at the airport environment.”
In compliance with the directive, FAAN directed every member of staff to ensure compliance with traffic regulations within the airport environment.
FAAN gave the directive in a circular Ref FAAN/ HQ/ ADM/ 400/ 08/016 signed by its General Manager, Administration, Ifreke Mathew .
Recalled that VIPS, military men and other top government officials often times flouts parking rules at airports across the country, daring any Aviation Security officials to challenge them.
Sometimes these people parked their cars at places clearly marked ‘do not park ‘and go straight into the terminal building.
In some cases, military-men beat up any official who dare to challenge them with impunity.