Airport cab drivers operating at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos have protested the FAAN vehicle policy, saying they cannot afford to replace their vehicles with 2020 models.
According to daily post, The protest followed a directive from the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which requires airport taxi operators to use 2020 model vehicles before they can continue providing services at the airport.
The drivers argued that the policy does not reflect Nigeria’s current economic realities. According to them, a 2020 model vehicle now costs about N18 million, making compliance impossible for many operators.
Several protesters said they are already battling rising fuel prices, inflation and high operating costs. They insisted that buying new vehicles under the present conditions would push many of them out of business.
One driver said the government should consider the hardship facing ordinary Nigerians before enforcing the directive. He added that many airport taxi operators depend on the business as their only source of income.
However, the protesters stressed that they support efforts to improve transport services at the airport. They maintained that the FAAN vehicle policy should also consider the financial capacity of drivers.
In addition, the cab operators appealed to FAAN and the Federal Government to suspend the directive. They urged the authorities to engage them in discussions and introduce a more practical plan.
According to the protesters, enforcing the policy without consultation could leave many families without a stable source of livelihood. They warned that the decision may also reduce the number of available airport taxis.
Meanwhile, the demonstration attracted the attention of passengers and other airport users as the drivers displayed placards and voiced their concerns peacefully.
As of the time of filing this report, FAAN had not issued a fresh statement on the protest. The drivers, however, expressed hope that the FAAN vehicle policy would be reviewed through dialogue rather than strict enforcement.
