FAAN Sanitises PHIA, Sends Away Deaf, Dumb Beggars

As part of moves to
sanitise the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, the Regional General Manager, Mrs Ebele Okoye of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), recently directed the internal airport security to send away physically challenged persons with hearing impairments that have constituted nuisance to airport users.
These deaf and dumb persons besiege air travellers to beg for alms in an uncivilised manner therefore, embarrassing passengers and disgracing Rivers State and the country at large.
The clamp down on beggars and touting at the Port Harcourt airport is part of efforts by the management of FAAN to give the airport community a new lease of life and allow users of the aviation industry retain their dignity.
The Tide Aviation correspondent was attracted to a scene where a dumb and deaf beggar was arrested by the aviation security (AVSEC) for returning to the airport to commence begging when they had been barred from such activities at the airport.
Confirming the action of the aviation security, the Head, Public Affairs and Communications of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mr Olagundolapo, said the beggars potrayed Nigeria in bad light to the international community as people without concern for their welfare.
Mr Ogundolapo said the airport was not school  for the deaf and dumb and they did not have the right to remain permanently at the airport, embarrass passengers and demand for money.
The Tide gathered that the airport community had to contain the activities of these impaired persons with the attendant disgrace and unruly behaviour displayed by them for years.
An  Aero Airline passenger to Abuja who refused to disclose his name, commended the management of the FAAN for the bold step to save the airport from the shame caused by the beggars and for the general improvement recorded in the airport.
He, however, urged the Federal Government to complete the remodelling exercise at the Port Harcourt International Airport in recognition of the strategic status of Rivers State to the economy of the nation.