One of the single most constant phenomenon in the airport is the level of corruption. We have all uniformed government agencies being guilty of it (there are innocent officers though).
The average Nigerian is fed up with the Nigerian Situation; Electricity, Transport,Heath care are all in shambles, and it is the wish of the vast majority to "check out" like Andrew. The reality of how bad the situation is can be seen when Graduates and Masters Degree holders are deported from foreign countries. Even countries within the African continent are not left out; Egypt, Libya, Gabon, South Africa etc. I read a tale of a graduate that came back home in the wake of the crisis in Libya (She was a graduate working as a house help).
With this in mind, many Nigerians are trooping out to find "Greener pastures". Some go by the land borders,through various countries and even the Sahara desert in a quest to get to Europe. Many end up in countries like Morocco and Libya, only to get stuck. They hitherto eek a living for themselves in these countries with the hope of making enough money to proceed on the journey to take the "boat ride" from Libya to Spain across the SEA!!
Others fly to Countries closer the Northern part of the continent.
The few that can afford to fly out of the country either directly to Europe / South Africa, or to other "Visa Free/Easy to get Visa" countries within the continent have to go through the NIGERIAN IMMIGRATION. For a first time traveller, it can be a really hectic task. With the level of illiteracy / exposure in this country, alot of first time travellers always fall prey to the antics of the Nigerian immigration.
After check-in at the Airport, satisfying the travel requirements of the airline / embassy official (British embassy sends a few profilers to the airport) in terms of documentation, the first time traveller proceeds to/through the immigration point and then on to the boarding gate. On approach, the officer there sizes up the passenger (there is this generic JJC- "New Comer" look); Over dressing, Looking overwhelmed and lost, some times confused shows he or she is new!! He then beckons on the passenger to come forward with his passport. If the passenger has flown a few times he asks a few questions, stamps and sends him on through the screening point and onto the gate.
If it is a "Virgin Passport", the drama begins: "Who did this passport for you?" he is asked (like he can do it in his house). He knows that majority of Nigerians bypass the 1-4mths bureaucracy that is required to get a passport by paying immigration officials to get it in 2-4days. Based on response, he proceeds to ask about how the passenger got the Visa, who his agent is, where he or she is going, for how long, how much BTA/PTA (cash in Airport language) he or she is travelling with, invitation letter, hotel reservation and a whole lot of relevant / irrelevant questions just to knock the person off guard.
Now with all these questions, majority of first time travellers that have no intention of coming back are jittery, their answers start to give them up. They mostly go through agents and other people to get passports, visas and other travel documents. They never seem able to defend themselves, they under declare cash at times, have no address or documentation as regards hotel accommodation. This is where the officer preys on, he tells him that he would be logged down and passport seized, for investigative purposes. He / She is then taken to the inner / smaller room where the real hustling is done.
"You are to travel with $1,500 as PTA(Personal travel allowance) and you have less!!" he'll say, so you cant go! (Silly bureaucrat, in this modern day of Visa and MasterCard, why do i need so much physical cash? Where is your HOTEL RESERVATION? (What? Every major Airport in the world have fliers and brochures, i can get that done on landing, besides if i have one, i just need the ref to check in when i get there!!). With all said and done, he offers a way out. The going rate is $100!! But he starts a whole lot higher say $500. With proper negotiation, he lands at the "going rate". Negotiations are closed and passenger is not "logged in" or investigated for trying to travel out without HOTEL RESERVATION or Less BTA than approved. In all he advices the passenger, they shake hands and all is well.
It is noteworthy to point out that this interrogation puts more pressure on the passenger as he / she can hear the boarding announcements on the airline he/she is flying. The fear of missing his/her flight with its attendant fines (No show fee, Date Change fee, Upgrade Fee etc.) the passenger is most likely to play ball.
After clearing with the immigration he still has the FAAN, NDLEA and Customs service to clear before proceeding to the boarding gate. The drama that unfolds at these points would be brought to you in subsequent editions of myairportstories.blogspot.com
Tell a friend, you don't know who may learn from my stories.
its @lereboy reporting for myairportstories.blogspot.com
Nice onne man. Very entertaining and informative as well as enlightening.
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