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The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria(FAAN), on Thursday withdrew its Aviation Security, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting personnel from Gombe and Kebbi Airports over N732 million debt, News Agency of Nigeria(NAN) reports.
The General Manager, Corporate Affairs, FAAN, Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, stated this while a dressing newsmen in Lagos.
Yakubu said the withdrawal of FAAN services from both airports, which had grounded flight operations took effect from midnight of May 1.
According to FAAN, Gombe Airport, which is owned by the Gombe State Government, owes the authority N607. 9 million, while Kebbi Airport operated by the Kebbi State Government owes FAAN N124.5 million.
FAAN, in a earlier notice to airmen in April had threatened to withdraw services from the airports and others indebted to the agency and had given them a deadline of April 30 to clear the outstanding debts.
“The authority shall be constrained to commence the implementation of sanctions at the expiration of this notice If the organisations failed or refused to pay up as advised.
“In view of the above, the authority hereby notifies private airport operators that the services of our Aviation Security and Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting personnel will no longer be available for the operations of their airports with effect from May 1,” the agency said.
The agency had stated that it can no longer allow the workers continue working at the airports without payment by the operators and owners.