Airports authority evicts ‘illegal occupants' of commercial motor park

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has evicted food vendors and owners of other businesses at the Hajj camp commercial motor park at the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos, describing the traders as "illegal occupants". According to the authority's spokesperson on Tuesday, the eviction is in accordance with the airports landlord's efforts to ensure sanity within and around the airports.

"We have been trying to get rid of illegal occupants at our airports, and we are not ready to spare anyone who is found guilty," said Akin Olukunle, General Manager, Public Affairs of the Authority. "Whoever wants to operate there should go to the commercial directorate of FAAN and obtain the necessary permit that will allow him to do business. By doing so, we will be able to know the people trading or doing business within and around the airports."

Expressing displeasure with the manner in which FAAN threw them out of the park, some of the traders disclosed that no prior information was given to them to vacate the premises.

"They forcefully came here and asked us to leave this park as if we are thieves without giving us any notice," said a food vendor who resorted to selling food to her customers from a stationary bus.

According to the source, who pleaded anonymity, some of the traders at the park are unaware that they are expected to get clearance from the authority before they could do business at the airports.

"It was after they asked us to leave this place that we found out that we are supposed to register with them," she said. "But where can we get the money to do the registration; is it from this small food or recharge card business?"

A recharge card vendor, who simply gave her name as Rashidat, disclosed that they survived by trading at the park, and pleaded that the government should allow them carry out their petty trading.

"I don't think that FAAN and government want us to steal," she said. "They should please consider us, and allow us continue with our businesses."

Mr. Olukunle, however, denied allegations that the Authority did not notify the traders.

"We've told them to leave that park and the airports vicinity on several occasions, but they refused to comply," he said.

According to him, the Authority will not hesitate to take any of the traders who return to the park to law enforcement agents.

"Any of them we find there again will be arrested and handed over to the police for prosecution," he said.