The recent decision to relocate the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from Abuja to Lagos has sparked a debate among stakeholders in the aviation industry. While some believe that the move is necessary to cut down on wasteful spending and ensure proper oversight, others argue that it could have negative consequences on FAAN’s operations.
Festus Kayamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, has defended the relocation, stating that it is aimed at curbing wasteful spending and reducing the burden on taxpayers. He believes that the headquarters can be situated anywhere in the country, as long as it can effectively carry out its oversight functions.
However, Capt. John Ojikutu, the CEO of Centurion Security and Safety Consults, disagrees with the decision. He argues that the headquarters should be in Abuja for proper monitoring by the supervising ministry. Ojikutu points out that most other government agencies have their headquarters in Abuja for supervisory reasons, and moving FAAN to Lagos could negatively impact its operations.
Abdulmalik Jibril, the Abuja Station Manager of Aero Contractors of Nigeria Limited, shares a similar view. He believes that FAAN’s headquarters should be in Abuja to ensure adequate monitoring by the supervising ministry. Jibril worries that if FAAN is relocated to Lagos now, it could result in a waste of taxpayer money if the headquarters is moved back to Abuja in the future.
Hector Naadi, President of the Joint Consultative and Negotiating Council (JCNC), has a more neutral stance. He believes that if the relocation is in the best interest of the nation and can be justified by the government, then it should be welcomed. Naadi recognizes that it is the prerogative of the management and government to decide where the headquarters should be located.
On the other hand, Idowu Adesola, President of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), fully supports the relocation. Adesola argues that Lagos is the center of major aviation activities in terms of revenue generation, and therefore, it makes sense for FAAN’s headquarters to be situated in the city.
In conclusion, the debate over the relocation of FAAN headquarters to Lagos highlights differing opinions among stakeholders in the aviation industry. While some argue that it is necessary to cut down on wasteful spending and ensure proper oversight, others believe that it could have negative consequences on operations. Ultimately, the decision rests with the government, and it remains to be seen how it will impact FAAN and the industry as a whole.