Members of the newly constituted board of directors of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) on Thursday supported the sanctions against debtors to the authority.
The members queried why concessionaires, airline operators, and government agencies using the airport facilities should hold on to funds meant to be remitted to the authority.
Speaking on behalf of the members, Ebitimi Banigo, chairman of the board, disclosed that the volume of creditors being accumulated by the authority is becoming unbearable.
"We urge all debtors of the authority to pay their outstanding debts to enable us meet our statutory obligations to all aviation stakeholders," he said.
Late last month, Maevis Limited, the concessionaire in charge of the collection of aeronautical charges from various airlines on behalf of the authority grounded five airlines for defaulting.
Remi Olumiyiwa, corporate communications manager, Maevis Limited, regretted why some of these debtors stack up funds meant for the aviation authority in their bank accounts, rather than paying their dues.
"Instead of going to the bank to get a loan, some of these airlines and concessionaires depend on this money for their own operation and cash flow," he said.
Speaking on the sanctions, Onyekwere Nnaekpe, deputy general manager FAAN, disclosed that the authority has tendered requests to the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to stop defaulters from using their facilities until they comply.
"We also have the full support of the minister of aviation and the senate," he said. "We are shutting down the centres of all concessionaires who have refused to comply." However, Mr. Nnaekpe withheld the names of the defaulters, stating that a few of the debtors are complying.
The members stated their commitment to the certification of all Nigerian airports and the provision of airport services that are in consonant with recommended international standards.
The new board, which was constituted last week by the ministry of aviation, further assured that airport facilities would be used profitably.