FAAN Debunks Reports Of Pilferage At MMIA

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr George Uriesi, has debunked reports of pilferage at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.

Uriesi, who fielded questions at a forum on Sunday in Abuja, said that people misinterpreted cases of late arrival of luggage for theft of luggage.

“I will make bold to say that there is no pilferage in Murtala Muhammed Airport; somehow I don’t know why anytime I read a news item in the media about pilferage and I go back and I go and check, there is not even a report of pilferage.

What people miss is their bags not coming; maybe you come from Atlanta via Paris and your connecting time is very short; so your bags don’t move and you arrive here; people call that pilferage.

But the next day the airline brings back the bags; so that’s an airline thing.

Pilferage is not tolerated at all; the reason why there is no pilferage in Murtala Muhammed Airport is that if there is pilferage and we establish that there was pilferage, we simply call the entire crew and we say to them you have 30 minutes to bring out the person or all of you are gone.

And in 30 minutes they don’t bring out the person, thank very much; have a nice life all of you; when you do that twice you will be very surprised that nobody wants to lose their job.

“So, it is zero tolerance area, so if there is pilferage, all of you must tell me if you don’t tell me, after One O’clock, thank you very much; everybody bye -bye.

“So, everybody knows that when they are coming to work they are guarding against anybody pilfering any bag.’’

Reacting to the recent armed robbery incidents at the airport, Uriesi said that the security mechanism of the airport had been reviewed.

He said the airport authorities were collaborating with law enforcement agents to forestall any future occurrence.

“We have all agreed that it will never happen again and we have put a tight arrangement to that effect,’’ he said.

The FAAN boss commended security operatives for creating a room for such synergy that would guarantee adequate security at the airport.