Recently a media practitioner, Mr. Theophilus Akatugba did a video explaining how he was treated by those who enforce the drop off zone rule at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport domestic terminal, known as MMA2 and complained how he was forced to make double payment and how shabbily he was treated.
The incident brought to the fore the similar complaints by different terminal users about the way the officials of Done Right company, a concessionaire that manages the car park and drop off zone, treat people that use the facility.
The terminal was built and is being operated by Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), but the aforementioned services were given out in concession to Done Right Limited and there are indications that the concessionaire may not have embraced tact, etiquette and the right protocol in dealing with the terminal users, going by the complaints of passengers and others that use the airport.
THISDAY investigation showed that the enforcers of the drop off zone charge different penalties for the same office, especially on weekends and also extort some people, going by the reports journalists receive from those who use the airport.
Also, when there are hitches in the payment system, the company does not respond quickly to passengers’ complaints and such cases could last for long, prompting some persons involved to give up and lose their money.
“They seem detached from the problem they know. Their POS machine could have hitches but whenever it happens, they will harshly ask you, go to your bank to rectify it. Businesses these days deploy POS machines that are very active, efficient and reliable, especially the ones operated by online banks. They can acquire them; so that these problems they have with their customers will reduce,” a terminal user who had similar experience, told THISDAY.
But when Akatugba’s complaint went virile, BASL reacted to the allegations that he threw up in the video and explained that Akatugba did not follow the rules.
A statement signed by Head, Corporate Communications, BASL, Oluwatosin Onalaja, said the operator has been striving to maintain a disciplined environment, adding that there are signages within the drop-off zone that warn airport users not to pick up passengers in the area.
The statement added that Akatugba picked up a passenger from the said drop-off zone, even though he was cautioned and warned not to do so.
“Thus, he contravened clearly displayed regulations. If we allow passengers to be picked up at the drop off zone, it will create serious traffic and probably a stampede at the terminal. Our actions are in the best interest of the traveling public. It should also be noted that the No Pick- Up law was effected at the MMA2 terminal in July 2021 and it is not a new law,” the statement said. (Thisday)
