Disturbed by the rising debt profile of private airports which is affecting its financial obligations to its workers, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has threatened to withdraw its security and fire cover services to private airports owing it across the country.
FAAN dropped the hint of its intention to withdraw the services to the private airports that are indebted to it, in an advertorial published in the media on Thursday.
Should the withdrawal be carried out, the affected airports would be technically shutdown for aeronautical operations since Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) would not allow any airline or aircraft to operate to such airport.
FAAN is the only organisation in Nigeria that has the statutory responsibility to provide Security and fire services to airports across the nation.
Giving the managements of affected airports a 30-day window to address their indebtedness, FAAN insisted that after the expiration of the ultimatum, it may no longer continue to deploy officials to render security and fire services at the affected airports without paying for their services.
When contacted on the development, FAAN’s spokesperson, Mrs. Henrietta Yakubu confirmed that the advertorial emanated from her office. She however, declined to make further comments on it.
It would be recalled that Osubi airport, Warri was closed to air services during the week after Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) withdrew its services to the airport a similar development.
Air services however resumed to the airport after issues were amicably settled between the management of NAMA and the Warri airport.
Do we have private airports in Nigeria? Please let’s know the locations of such airports and their owners. Thanks.