Confirming the suspension of the action, FAAN General Manager, Public Affairs, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu said the affected airports and terminal have opened negotiations with FAAN on how they will defray their outstanding debts to the agency.
Recall FAAN had said on Sunday that “Following a final notice of payment issued to the above airports over a month ago, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) hereby notifies airlines, passengers and the general public that effective midnight of Sunday December 9, 2018, we are constrained to withdraw the services of our Security officers and Airport Fire and Rescue Services from Gombe, as well as Kebbi and Bebi airports.
This action has become imperative as the management of Gombe airport is indebted to the Authority to the tune of #607,289,972, while Kebbi and Bebi airports are indebted to the tune of #124,547,240 and #76,772,948 respectively without any concerted effort to pay up the debt”.
“The Authority has issued a Notice To Airmen (NOTAM) to this effect so as to give operators into the airports the opportunity to review their logistics plan”, the agency said.
Mrs Yakubu said FAAN took into consideration the hardship the travelling public will be subjected to if it goes ahead with the action. Moreso, the debtors are now ready to negotiate and pay.
She said” There is upsurge of traffic at this time of the year, we don’t want the public to suffer. They are also now ready to negotiate and pay. “
