24th September, 2014
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), on Tuesday, denied a report that there was an outbreak of epidemic at the Hajj Terminal of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
In a statement made available to journalists in Lagos, the Deputy General Manager, Corporate Communications of FAAN, Mr Onyekwere Nnaekpe, said that the toilet facilities being used by pilgrims at the Hajj camp terminal
were in good condition.
He said that the report was to create fear in the minds of prospective pilgrims, whose worries could be heightened by the scare of the Ebola Virus Disease.
He added that relevant government agencies responsible for the transportation and welfare of the pilgrims, including the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), could not have turned a blind eye if facilities at the terminal were below standard.
“The Authority wishes to state that it is untrue that the toilet facilities have been left unclean over the weeks
without lights at night.
“There is no doubt that the 39 toilet facilities provided at the terminal could be overstretched when used by an average of 500 pilgrims for about two weeks, but it was uncharitable to say that the toilets were not cleaned throughout this period,” he said.
He said that the Authority assured all prospective pilgrims and the public that necessary machinery had been put in place to ensure that all Hajj terminals across the country were safe, secure and in good condition to effectively handle Hajj operations.