.Want Aviation Minister to act
The activities of syndicates and private securities over the parking lots at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Abuja, are now causing disquiet as airport users are being extorted daily by the groups.
The Daily Times gathered that the syndicates were allegedly hired by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to manage the parking lots with the assistance of private security organisations.
But the role of these syndicates appear to be strange as they are now eager to clamp the cars of unsuspecting airport users within their vicinity and compel them to pay N25,000 before their cars can be released.
Some of the affected passengers are now calling on the Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, to take necessary action against the syndicates.
According to the passengers, the activities of the syndicates are capable of sending wrong signals to airport users and foreigners who may assume that the syndicates have the backing of Federal Government to collect illegal fees.
The matter is further compounded with the obvious lack of definite parking arrangements where airport users can park their cars within the vicinity of the airport.
The place is usually crowded and these syndicates use this opportunity to clamp the cars of airport users.
Another source of worry to airport users is the propriety of syndicates asking car owner to pay a penalty of N25,
000 before a clamped car can be released. They are asking the legality of the syndicates fixing outrageous amount of N25, 000 at a period when the country is passing through recession.
When the Abuja airport was reopened after the repairs of the runway, passengers had expressed delight about the new lease of life as their experience with the use of the alternative Kaduna Airport was not palatable.
But the development was shortlived as these syndicates are now on the prowl to clamp the cars of the airport users on the grounds of indiscriminate parking.
It was further gathered that the money being realised from this act may be going to private pockets as FAAN is yet to make official announcement on the modalities for parking of cars at Abuja Airport.
One of the unsuspecting car users whose car was clamped by one of the syndicates, Mr. Ojo Lanre, told The Daily Times that the experience was nasty.
He said: “I was at the airport on Saturday to pick my wife who was arriving from Lagos. I had hardly parked my car with other cars in the row when some guys suddenly clamped my car. When I confronted them that there were other cars at my back, they just ignored me and directed me to go to a shed where I would pay N25, 000 before my car could be released. I was shocked. I had to borrow money from a colleague of mine who coincidentally came to the airport to pick his friend. The minister must do something about the situation.”
Another concerned female passenger, Mrs. O Chinedu, simply said:” I don’t want to recall the experience. In my country, I was forced to pay N25, 000 to certain people whom I suspect are not authorised by the government.”
For Mallam A Ali, the practice must be stopped as it, “Gives the impression that we are not organised and we allow private individuals to compromise Federal Government stance on the war against corruption.”
The Daily Times also learnt that the syndicate is headed by one Mr. Madaki. But efforts to get his reaction proved abortive at press time.
Attempts to get the reaction of FAAN spokesman was also unsuccessful as his phone could not be reached Sunday night.
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