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Tag: Murtala Mohammed airport

  • An encounter at Murtala Mohammed Airport

    An encounter at Murtala Mohammed Airport

    As Nigerians experienced during military rule, nothing brings a country faster to its knees than impunity compounded by impudence and a rude sense of entitlement. The military left a long time ago but it appears that a sense of entitlement is wired into the African DNA. As readers will attest, this column rarely draws attention to its minder, except when it is to give vent to a matter of public importance. We regret to announce that despite the departure of the military, impunity still reigns supreme in some official circles in Nigeria.

      Penultimate Friday evening, yours sincerely arrived at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Ikeja on the British Airways flight (BA74) after a short trip abroad. As passengers disembarked and trooped towards the Arrival Hall to fulfill all immigration formalities and righteousness, the sense of order and discipline which had pervaded the aircraft and the departure gate earlier at Heathrow Terminal 5 began to give way. Many were being led by uniformed and ununiformed people towards some dank alleys of privilege and unmerited priorities. Immigration officials were openly collecting multiple passports and yanking people off the queues. The rest of us queued meekly and perseveringly.

    Read Also: Police re-invites Ajaero for questioning over allegations of terrorism financing, others

      That was until yours sincerely could no longer put up with the shenanigans. In quiet tempest, one had briskly decoupled himself from the queue and headed straight to the exit and unto the luggage section. On our way, one was accosted by an immigration official who wanted to know whether our passport had been stamped. One simply ignored him. After a few minutes in the hall, one decided that this was not enough and headed straight back to the queue, demanding to see the highest official. They brought the same official who had earlier accosted him but one told him to go and bring his boss. That was when they produced Mr Luka.

       One had narrated his experience to the gentleman and complained about the racketeering and influence peddling going on. In fairness to Mr Luka, he was as polite and courteous as he was professional. He apologized but appeared nonplussed that one was complaining about what has become routine practice. One decided to address him directly. “ Mr Luka, listen to me and listen to me very well. Some of us fought for this democracy and we are not going to sit back and allow it to be destroyed from within”. Thereupon the gentleman apologized once again and personally proceeded to have our passport stamped.    

  • Businessman laments deportation of business partners

    A United Kingdom-based businessman, Mr. Monday Ohuimuwen, has said that many of his business partners coming to Nigeria for genuine businesses have been deported because of what he termed misleading guidelines on the entry Visa on arrival programme posted on the Nigeria Immigration Portal.

    Monday said the Norwegians and British nationals he invited based on the information contained in the Nigeria Immigration Portal, regarding Entry Visa on Arrival Programme were deported on arrival at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos.

    Speaking to reporters in Bénin-City, Monday, who is engaged in distributive business said the Immigration authorities were supposed to allow in invited business partners who had followed the guidelines.

    Monday said they were deported under very flimsy excuses that they ought to have gotten approval in their home country before traveling to Nigeria.

    He said: “The said approval was not contained in the guidelines posted on the portal of the Nigeria Immigration Service.

    “Besides frustrating industrialists and their foreign partners, the activities of the immigration authorities is creating integrity problem for Nigerian businessman in Nigeria.

    “I want the authorities concerned to review the said guidelines and update same, so as not to continue to frustrate genuine businessmen and women who relied on the guidelines, only to be misled at the end of the day.”

    Monday commended Governor Godwin Obaseki and the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II for introducing and facilitating the Private Property Protection (PPP) headed by Solomon Arase in the state.

  • Court restrains FG from re-possessing Murtala Mohammed Airport

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has restrained the Federal Government from re-possessing the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos from its current operator and manager, Bi-Courtney Limited.

    The court also restrained the Federal Government and its agencies from interfering or hampering the operations of Bi-Courtney with respect to its management of the airport.

    Justice Binta Nyako gave the orders on Thursday after listening to Wale Babalakin (SAN), who moved a motion ex-parte to that effect.

    Justice Nyako said the interim orders so granted are to subsist pending the determination of the originating summons filed by Bi-Courtney.

    Babalakin had, while moving the ex-motion filed by Bi-Courtney, stated that there was information that the Federal Government, though some of its agencies, seeks to repossess the domestic wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA2) within the next two days.

    He argued that despite the existence of evidence to support Bi-Courtney’s claim of an existing 36-year concession contract between it and the Federal Government, in relation to the management of the airport, officials of the government have continued to insist that the contract was for 12 years.

    “We have a 36 year concession, which has been confirmed by an Arbitral Tribunal and up to the Supreme Court.

    “But, there are rumour that they (the defendants) want to take over the airport within the next two days, on the grounds that we have 12- year lease,” Babalakin said.

    Read Also: How to prevent luggage stuffing at airports , by experts

    He then prayed the court interim order injunction to prevent the defendants and their restraining the defendants, either by themselves or other agencies of Federal Government of Nigeria or their agents “from approving the taking over or operating the Domestic Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport (MMA) pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.

    Babalakin equally sought similar orders to restrain the defendants from interrupting the plaintiff’s management of MMA” and for them to “maintain status quo and not interfere in the processes.”

    Listed, as defendants in the suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/471/2019 are, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Minister of Aviation, Managing Director, Federal. Airports Authority of Nigeria, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission and the Inspector General of Police.

    Bi-Courtney, in the originating summons, wants the court to, among others, declare that it is entitled to uninterrupted operation and management of the domestic wing of the MMA “throughout the subsistence  of the concession period granted to the plaintiff by the Concession Agreement dated 24th April 2003 between the plaintiff and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, represented by the Minister of Aviation and FAAN, particularly the addendum thereto, dated February 2007, without let or hindrance” by the defendants and their agents.

    It is also praying for an order of injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from “contemplating, initiating, taking any action, process or procedure towards the takeover of domestic wing of the MMA” while the concession agreement still subsists.

    The plaintiff also wants an order, directing the AGF, Minister of Aviation, Managing Director, Federal. Airports Authority of Nigeria, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission “and other appropriate officers of the Federal Government, to execute forthwith, on behalf of the FGN, a sovereign undertaking in favour of the plaintiff”, to the effect that the FGN, its agencies and officials shall not contemplate of take steps to interfere or hinder the plaintiff’s operation and management of the MMA during the 36 years concession period granted the plaintiff, by virtue of the 2003 agreement.

  • Buhari arrives Lagos for re-election campaign

    President Muhammadu Buhari has arrived in Lagos, for continuation of his re-election campaign in the February 16, Presidential Election.

    Buhari and his entourage landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, at 10.13 a.m. on Saturday amid tight security.

    The President arrived aboard a Nigerian Air Force Boeing aircraft with registration number 5N-FGT to a rousing welcome by All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains and supporters.

    The chieftains who received him included; Governors Akinwunmi Ambode, Abiola Ajimobi, Rotimi Akeredolu and Abdullahi Ganduje of Lagos, Oyo, Ondo and Kano states respectively.

    Others were the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr Chris Ngige, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu and Lagos State APC Gubernatorial Candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Read Also: 53 parties endorse Buhari ahead of APC rally in Lagos

    The President was received by the APC supporters who displayed the “4+4’’ signature of the party and chanted “Sai Baba’’, “Next Level ” and other slogans.

    The APC presidential candidate , left the MMA in a chopper with registration number NAF-540 at 10.30 a.m. for his engagements in the nation’s commercial capital.

    He is scheduled to visit the Palace of the Oba of Lagos Rilwan Akiolu, and the State House, Marina.

    The President will thereafter proceed to the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, where he will address the people and solicit for their votes.

    NAN

     

  • Nigerian Navy hosts Prince of Wales in Lagos

    The Nigerian Navy hosted the Prince of Wales in Lagos on Wednesday in continuation of his three-day business and cultural tour of Nigeria.

    The News Agency of Nigeria  reports that the Prince of Wales, who arrived the Naval Dockyard in Victoria Island at 1:46 p.m., was received by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas.

    After being ceremonially received by the Naval chief, The Prince of Wales was taken on a tour around Lagos waters on the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) EKULU.

    The prince was piped on-board by the Commanding Officer NNS EKULU, Commander Andrew Zidon.

    Speaking with journalists after the departure of the prince, Ibas said that the visit was an encouragement for the navy.

    “The Nigerian Navy is an offshoot of the Royal Navy and he is also here to see by himself the progress being made with the cooperative support the royal navy has been giving Nigeria,” he said.

    Read Also: Minimum wage: Buhari promised to study report, says Minister

    NAN reports that Prince Charles and his entourage had earlier arrived Lagos aboard a B737 aircraft with registration number CS-TFY, which landed at the Presidential Wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport at 12.08 p.m.

    He was received by the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs Idiat Adebule, officials of the United Kingdom Consulate and security chiefs.

    The prince’s three-day business and cultural tour of Nigeria is also to mark the 75th Anniversary of the British Council in Nigeria.

    Charles had arrived Nigeria on Tuesday alongside his wife, Camilla and were received by President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House in Abuja.

    The prince also met with notable traditional rulers as part of efforts to build peace in the Middle Belt and other parts of the country.

  • FG identifies 2,778 Nigerians in Libya’s detention camps

    FG identifies 2,778 Nigerians in Libya’s detention camps

    The Federal Government says it has a record of 2,778 Nigerian migrants registered in “accessible” detention camps in Libya, ready for repatriation.

    The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a statement signed by the Spokesperson Mr Tiwatope Elias-Fatiile on Tuesday, said the country’s embassy in Libya had been visiting detention camps to identify Nigerians for registration.

    The ministry stated that those registered were issued Emergency Travel Certificates.

    The ministry also explained that the embassy in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) repatriates 250 migrants weekly and had returned 3,000 of them so far.

    “From the 2,778 registered Nigerians who are still in detention camps, another set of 250 Nigerian migrants will be arriving today at Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos at 7.00.p.m. to be received by NEMA officials.

    “The Embassy, in collaboration with the IOM repatriates 250 Nigerian migrants by flight to Lagos weekly – each flight can accommodate only 250 passengers.

    “The repatriation is a continuous exercise and the Embassy routinely issues the requisite travel documents to the migrants.

    Read also: FG to fly home stranded Nigerians in Libya

    “The Embassy will continue to engage the legitimate government in Libya and other stakeholders in addressing the plight of Nigerian migrants in that country.”

    The Ministry further said that the Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama had invited the Nigerian Embassy’s Head of Mission, Mr Iliya Fachano, to Abuja for consultations.

    “He is in Abuja already and during the period of the consultations, arrangements have been made for him to address press conferences on the issue.

    “This would afford the Nigerian public the opportunity to hear from him directly.”

    The ministry, however, advised intending Nigerian travellers to “avoid Libya at this period, because of the dangers they may encounter in the process of their journey”.

    The ministry also urged citizens to reach the Nigerian Embassy in Libya for assistance through these emergency numbers: +218910144487, +218925099384 and +218917953365.

    “The contact email addresses for the embassy and the ministry are: nigeria@nigeriantripoli.org and help@foreignaffairs.gov.ng.

    It said that the embassy had received requests for intervention from some relations of the victims based in Nigeria through these contacts.

    While condemning the slave market in Libya, the ministry said it would engage the UN, African Union, European Union and other stakeholders to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.

    “It violates the fundamental human rights of the victims and it is unacceptable to the civilised world.”

    NAN

  • Lagos shops for new investors for 4th Mainland Bridge project

    Lagos shops for new investors for 4th Mainland Bridge project

    The Lagos State Government on Monday said that it was shopping for new investors to take over the 4th Mainland Bridge project.

    Mr. Adebowale Akinsanya, Lagos Commissioner for Waterfront Developemnt said this at the 2017 Ministerial Press Briefing of the ministry in Alausa to commemorate governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s second year in office.
    Akinsanya, while feilding questions from journalists said that the old contractors were not able to meet the expectations of the state government on the project.
    He explained that investors from various countries which include South Korea, Europe and America had indicated interest in the project.
    “The pace the old contractors were moving is not what we are looking for.
    “Right now we are looking at many investors and the interests are high, I would rather wait till everything is finalised before giving the detailed information.
    “Investors from all over the world are indicating interest, from China, South Korea, Europe and America.
    “What we are doing now is vetting through the process to make sure that we do not waste more time, very soon you will see work begin on the bridge,” he said.
    On the closed Fadeyi pedestrian bridge, he said that the state was also working on replacing the foot bridge which was repaired recently.
    The commissioner explained that an articulated vehicle damaged a portion of the bridge and thus threatened its stability and safety.

    He explained that the state government was partnering with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to actualise the Lagos airport road project.

    “On Murtala Mohammed Airport road, we did not get approval from the Federal Government but we are still working with them, we are getting things ready for the approval.

    “Whenever the approval comes in, the next day we will begin work on the site.

    “We are collaborating with the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing to speed up the process, it is the interest of Lagosians and Nigerians as a unit to adress the problem of that road, that is the first contact with Lagos and the road is not in a good condition,” he said.

    On open manholes across the state, he said that the state was working on applying inner locks to the covers so that they cannot be removed by vandals.

    “This is a new system to lock the manholes from inside to prevent theft and it is something ongoing,” he said.

    He said that an earlier project by the state government to replace steel manhole covers with fibres that cannot be stolen by vandals was still ongoing as according to him, it was not possible to replace all of the covers at once.

  • Qatar Air aircraft in emergency landing at MMIA

    Qatar Air aircraft in emergency landing at MMIA

    A burst tyre forced a Qatar Air aircraft with 248 passengers on board to resort to emergency landing on Saturday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos.

    The aircraft was guided to land on the runway close to the cargo shed, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

    Mr Ibraheem Farinloye, the South-West Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the National Emergency Management Authority , (NEMA), confirmed the emergency landing to journalists.

    The airbus 332 was said to have flew into Lagos from Doha.

    Farinloye said that NEMA received an alert from FAAN between 12. 55 p.m. and 1.00 p.m. that the aircraft with registration number A7AEE had landing challenges.

    “We are happy to inform you now that it had landed safely with the assistance of the various security and other agencies, such as the FAAN fire fighters, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), the police , Julius Berger officials and men of the Lagos State Fire Service.

    A source said that the pilot had suspected the problem and informed the control tower at MMIA to prepare emergency landing facilities for the jet liner.

    NAN observed that the aircraft was towed to the international air-side of the airport where the passengers on board disembarked.

    Eyewitnesses around the airport cargo shed said that the airbus plane roved in the air for about an hour before it finally landed. (NAN)