Mixed reactions, as FAAN suspends Abuja airport taxi services

Nigerians have expressed mixed reactions over decision by the country’s airport management authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Friday to suspend operators of taxi services at the facility.

FAAN, in the statement, signed by its Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Abdullahi  Yakubu-Funtua, cited ‘unresolved factional dispute amongst the car hire operators’ as reason for the suspension order.

The suspension which is with immediate effect has attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians, as some hailed the decision calling on the authority to effect such decision equally on other airports in the country, including the Ilorin, Port Harcourt and Lagos airports.

However, others accused FAAN of seeking to exploit the rivalry among airport taxi operators in order ‘to enable your own taxi work.’

“The FAAN wishes to inform the general public that the airport carhire service at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja has been suspended with immediate effect.

“This is as a result of the unresolved factional dispute amongst the car hire operators which has been affecting airport car hire service operations.

“Consequent upon this suspension, FAAN Management advises the general public and all airport users,

particularly our esteemed passengers to use secured alternative means of transportation or E-hailing services in and out of the airport.

“The Management of FAAN regrets any inconvenience this necessary suspension may cause our esteemed passengers, airport users and the general public. Normal Car Hire Services resumes as soon as their differences are resolved,” the statement by FAAN read.

Oracle Today newspaper subsequently sampled reactions of Nigerians via the Twitter handle, Friday, and below is the outcome:

Adetotal Sofiyu ALIMI (@sofiyu) wrote:

Fantastic. This has to be replicated especially in Lagos.

wizzy waa  (@wizzywaa) wrote:

Thanks for the decision please don’t bring them back, next and very worst is Lagos airport both international and local especially MM2 they don’t allow even personal cars pick individuals and someone wld have to carry his/her box or boxes up the dirty staircase as lift is bad.

Fyneface Charles (@fynecharm) wrote:

Pls replicate this in Port Harcourt international Airport as well. Thank you

Ishmael Jaja (@ishmael_jaja) wrote:

Why not allow the services of e-hailing to be permanent at the airport?

Joel Ogbeifun (@joel_ogbeifun) wrote:

This is to enable your own taxi work. I still wonder how we want to move Nigeria forward?

Stella E. (@elladimi) wrote:

Good to know . What you order vs what you paid is outrageous. They are just ripping people.

olutola ibitoye (@IbitoyeOlutola) wrote:

We need this also at ilorin international airport, they have even gone as far as not letting anyone doing e-hailing business pick their family members…and the use of air force officer to chase us around

King Ope of ABJ (@KingOpeOfAbj) wrote:

Thank you for this. Na menace them be