Aviation officials flay Adamawa governor for refusing to abide by Covid-19 guidelines at Port Harcourt airport

FEDERAL Airports Authority of Nigeria (Faan) officials have lashed out at Governor Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State for violating Covid-19 travel guidelines by refusing to submit himself to a mandatory temperature check at the Port Harcourt airport.

Nigeria, like most other nations has imposed stringent health checks on its citizens in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic outbreak. Although most of the restrictions have been lifted over recent weeks, they were on the condition that strict protocols are adhered to, including regulations that all air travellers must subject themselves to temperature checks at airports before flying.

Earlier this week, Governor Fintiri arrived in Port Harcourt and while there refused to cooperate with airport and health officials. According to Faan officials, Governor Fintiri and his entourage stopped health officials from checking their temperature and being sanitised, describing the governor’s action as irresponsible.

Faan's spokesman said: “The management of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria hereby strongly condemns the conduct of the governor of Adamawa State Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, who arrived Port Harcourt international Airport aboard aircraft 5N-IZY, at 17.08 hours on 14th July 2020 with eight others and who flagrantly refused to observe the airport security and public health protocols on Covid-19. The governor refused to have his temperature checked, or be sanitised by the health officials."

In addition, the agency also accused the governor's team of ignoring traffic and aviation security instructions. Faan has used the opportunity to caution all airport users, especially VIPs, to respect the presidential directive by observing airport security and public health travel protocols.