The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has announced the relocation of its corporate headquarters from Abuja to Lagos.
This decision, made under the directive of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, comes after careful consideration and wide consultations with stakeholders, including unions.
The move is motivated by several factors aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and optimizing the utilization of public funds. One key reason highlighted by FAAN is the impracticality of maintaining a headquarters in Abuja when there was insufficient office space, leading to the return of affected personnel to Lagos.
FAAN’s Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Mrs. Obiageli Orah, emphasized that the relocation is a strategic decision aimed at preventing the waste of public resources.
The return of personnel to Lagos eliminates the need for Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) payments, which would have been incurred due to their official posting being in Abuja.
The Authority also considered the option of abandoning the existing building in Lagos in favor of renting office space in Abuja. However, stakeholders, along with Minister Keyamo, opted against this, recognizing the prominence of Lagos in FAAN’s operations, with over sixty percent of activities centered around the Lagos airports.
To address the need for suitable office spaces, Minister Keyamo has outlined plans to engage concessionaires for the construction of modern offices in both Lagos and Abuja. Until these projects are completed, FAAN will continue managing its existing building in Lagos, which can accommodate all its Directors and senior officials.
It’s important to note that while the corporate headquarters is relocating to Lagos, full operational offices will continue in Abuja without any scale-down in operations.
The decision on the permanent headquarters will be made in the future based on the completion of new corporate buildings in both cities, taking into account the evolving needs of the Authority.
FAAN assures the public that its actions are driven by a commitment to the best interests of the country, ensuring operational efficiency and responsible use of public funds. Minister Keyamo reaffirms his dedication to making decisions that prioritize the nation’s interests, resisting any influence of ethnic or sectional sentiments.
