Aviation Minister, Keyamo Introduces Initiatives to Improve Nigerian Airports Service Delivery
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo has introduced new initiatives that will help to improve service delivery and maintain environmental cleanliness at Nigerian airports.
Mr. Keyamo noted that there is need for Nigerian airports to meet the highest standards of customer service and operational excellence, stressing that the new development is aimed at addressing the expectations of the traveling public, who daily utilize airports across Nigeria.
This was made known in a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Minister, Mr. Tunde Moshood on Thursday, November 21, 2024.
According to the statement, the decisions are also aimed at improving service delivery and environmental conditions at the facilities, thereby leading to the approval of the following initiatives: “Appointment of voluntary Special Airport Marshals: The Minister, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, will appoint voluntary Special Airport Marshals who are resident in cities where airports are located.
“These Marshals, comprising public-spirited individuals drawn from members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and representatives of State Governors, will conduct unscheduled visits to the airports. Their role will be to monitor staff conduct and assess the general hygiene and conditions of the airports.
“The voluntary Special Airport Marshals shall report directly to the Honourable Minister, who will issue necessary directives to FAAN based on their findings.”
Mr. Moshood stated that with the initiative, Minister Keyamo will no longer rely solely on official reports from Airport Managers, however, he will also consider independent observations from the voluntary Special Airport Marshals.
He explained that the development will bring an additional transparent layer of supervision to Nigerian airports, as it will ensure that Airport Managers who receive monthly allocations for airport maintenance are held accountable for their responsibilities.
The statement added: “Unscheduled Visits by the Minister: The Honourable Minister, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, the Managing Director of FAAN, key directors of the Ministry and FAAN, and members of the Senate and House Committees on Aviation, will conduct unscheduled monthly inspections of airports nationwide.
“During these visits, the Honourable Minister will personally participate in various operational activities, demonstrating leadership and emphasizing the value of diligent service. The Honourable Minister will also address airport staff, hear their complaints and encourage them to uphold professionalism and serve the public courteously.”
Moshood also highlighted consultations and appointments, revealing that over the coming weeks, the minister will engage stakeholders in consultations to identify and appoint suitable volunteers for the Special Airport Marshal roles.
“The names of the appointed Marshals will be publicly announced to ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.
The statement further read: “These initiatives underscore the Minister’s commitment to maintaining high standards of service delivery and cleanliness at Nigerian airports, ensuring they meet the needs of the traveling public.”
