The National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), says the alleged travel agent paraded by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission ( EFCC) is not its member and should not be addressed as a travel agent.
The President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies,(NANTA) Mrs Susan Akporiaye clarified the position of the umbrella body of travel trade operators in Nigeria.
He noted that all available verifiable information at the disposal of the association, showed that the purported travel agent, has no relationship with the association and should not be addressed so.
Mrs Akporiaye, stated that nanta has invested time and money to address the various challenges posed by touts in the industry, and warned members of the traveling public to circumspect when planning their trips and who to engage.
“Before covid, nanta launched its membership identify card with security features that cannot be cloned and it behoves on the traveler to request for the identity profile of the travel professional before doing business. We frown hard at fraud in the sector and have taken critical measures to address it.” She further explained.
On measures to further check fake and fraudulent operators, Mrs Akporiaye said that efforts were ongoing to educate and create awareness among security agencies on the measures put in place to muscle touts out of the system.
She said a recent visit to the office of the National law Drug Agency ( NDLEA) was rewarding while a visit to EFCC, will be initiated in earnest.
” It kills and demoralizes the efforts of registered and genuine travel professionals when touts are labeled as travel agents. It is demeaning and we pray that the security agencies and the media should reach out to nanta to verify such purported agent(s) before going public.
She adds that they were ready to disown members who may run foul of the law.
Lateefah Ibrahim
