The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has denied reports that it’s Managing Director, Kabir Yusuf Muhammed, approved N200 Million for the purchase of Toyota Land Cruiser 70th Anniversary Edition for himself.
This was contained in a press release signed and issued by the agency’s Director, Public Affairs & Consumer Protection, Abdullahi Yakubu-Funtua, on Saturday.
Earlier on Saturday, SaharaReporters had reported that Muhammed acquired the said vehicle for official purposes.
The report read in part, “The Managing Director and Chief Executive of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) Mr Kabir Yusuf Mohammed has acquired a sport utility vehicle that reportedly cost about N200 million as his official car while airports are in dire need of patrol vehicles.
“About N200 million was released for the purchase of the Toyota Land Cruiser 70th Anniversary Edition which was approved by Mohammed as his official vehicle, according to sources.
“”It is not supposed to be this much, that money is what they are supposed to spend on getting patrol vehicles and all that all over Nigeria.
“”Not just for the Lagos airport alone but other airports too under FAAN.
“”He is not the airport manager, he is FAAN MD, so this so much money in his official vehicle when there are no patrol vehicles is also ridiculous. That is how much FAAN spends getting an official vehicle and he is the one that approves the money,”” a source said.
“Meanwhile, the procurement of the vehicle comes despite his refusal to buy patrol vehicles for airport security despite the security threats facing airports across the country, especially the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.”
However, in a quick response, FAAN has denied such claims, declaring that since Muhammed’s assumption of office he had not acquired an official vehicle.
The agency stated that the vehicle the MD is currently using does not belong to FAAN, and a verification can be made on its claim through the number plate on the vehicle.
The release read, “This is to inform the general public that the claim by @SaharaReporters that FAAN Managing Director, Mr Kabir Yusuf Muhammed approved N200 Million for the purchase of Toyota Land Cruiser 70th Anniversary Edition for himself as his official vehicle is false.
“Since his assumption of office, FAAN MD does not have any official car and did not buy any for anyone.
“When some old vehicles were refurbished for the newly appointed Directors, the MD was given one but he had to return it because the vehicles did not go round.
“A contract for the Procurement of operation vehicles was awarded by the former Managing Director. They are yet to be supplied.
“The vehicle he is using to work does not belong to FAAN. The vehicle’s registration number could be verified through the appropriate authorities.
“FAAN has observed with great concern that agents of doom have resorted to the use of the media to distract the new Managing Director from the good work he has started in repositioning FAAN to greater heights.
“We therefore use this medium to appeal to reporters to authenticate the veracity of their reports before going public.
“FAAN…Committed to her core values…
Safety! Security!! Comfort!!!”
