Aviation Ministry, ICPC to tackle corruption at airports

From Suleiman Idris, Lagos & Joy Baba-Yesufu, Abuja

The ministry of aviation and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding ( MoU ) that would allow both federal organs root out what they described as low level corruption across the airports in Nigeria.

The two bodies said the strategies to be deployed would include mandatory training on ethics and integrity at the anti – graft agency’s academy for personnel that work at the facilities.

ICPC Chairman, Mr. Ekpo Nta told the gathering in Lagos that the MoU also involve a comprehensive systems study of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its agencies and a continuous sensitisation of the travelling public and foreigners who use the airports to stop giving tips or bribes and as well report any unwholesome acts to the ICPC.

Minister of aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka in his presentation described corruption as a roadblock to national economic development.

Chidoka directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigerian Air Force to root out touts loitering around the arrival hall of the international wing of the Lagos Airport within 14 days.

Also, he said FAAN should cancel concessions that involve the use of trolleys at the terminal and explained that government would install brand new close circuit television cameras at major international terminals to provide surveillance through the use of technology ways and means to checking corrupt practices.

According to him, the ministry would interface with the Lagos State Government to set up mobile courts at the Lagos Airport for the speedy trail and prosecution of persons arrested for touting and other unauthorized practices.

Chidoka said:” We need to stamp out corruption at our airports because its practice has become a roadblock to economic prosperity. Corruption destroys processes and truncate outcomes. It does not create a level playing field.

As a window to the world, that is why the aviation sector has decided to blaze the trail to have a conversation on how to stamp out corruption at our entry and exit points out of the country. I get very worried over the crowding of passengers and airport personnel around the check in areas. This must be reviewed, because we have to find better ways of processing passengers.”