We Didn't Stop Ex-First Lady From Using Port Harcourt VIP Lounge - FAAN Denies Reports

Posted by Nicholas on Wed 29th Jul, 2015 - tori.ng

FAAN has denied reports that it had denied forer first lady, Patience Jonathan access into the VIP lounge of the Port Harcourt International Airport.

Former first lady, Patience Jonathan

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has slammed reports that emerged days ago that former First Lady, Patience Jonathan was recently prevented from using the VIP lounge of the Port Harcourt International Airport.

FAAN stated that it had simply stopped Mrs Jonathan’s convoy from taking her to the foot of the aircraft on the airport tarmac.

The agency described the reports as misleading and mischievous via a statement released on Tuesday, July 28, 2015.

It reads:

“The former First Lady’s convoy was only denied access to the foot of the aircraft during boarding formalities at the airport in line with international aviation best practices, strictly for safety reasons, as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. Our security officials explained this fact to details of the former First Lady.

“We wish to recall that former President Goodluck Jonathan, in his recent trips from the same airport, had had to walk to the aircraft from the protocol lounge, in recognition of this ICAO regulation.

“We wish to state that no such thing happened as Dame Jonathan, like other family members of former Presidents and other designated principal officers of government, are officially entitled to the usage of airport VIP and protocol lounges under the management of FAAN."

Mrs Jonathan was said to have been denied access to the lounge when she paid a visit to the Rivers State capital for the funeral of a former aide.