The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has announced the immediate suspension of the newly introduced cashless payment system at airport toll gates across Nigeria following widespread traffic congestion.
According to the minister, the cashless system was introduced less than a week ago to eliminate corruption and optimize revenue collection for the Federal Government.
For over 50 years, toll collections at airport gates and parking facilities had been handled through cash payments by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
However, the transition to a fully cashless system led to severe gridlock, particularly at airport toll gates in Lagos and Abuja, causing many passengers to miss their flights.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing concern over the hardship faced by Nigerians, directed that the system be suspended immediately. The President instructed the Aviation Ministry to revert to the previous system temporarily while working to perfect a more efficient electronic payment solution.
Keyamo said the President emphasised that the review process should not be prolonged and requested regular updates on progress.
In the interim, a hybrid system will be introduced, allowing both cash payments and the use of existing FAAN cards.
The minister also disclosed plans to engage private sector operators to develop and manage a more efficient electronic revenue collection system. He noted that the Federal Government may pay commissions to private partners to ensure seamless operation and eliminate the bottlenecks currently being experienced. He assured that the cash-based system would only remain temporarily until an improved solution is deployed.
In a related development, the Federal Executive Council approved a revised plan for the long-delayed construction of a second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Keyamo explained that the project had previously stalled due to four major factors, including foreign exchange volatility, compensation payments for economic trees and other encumbrances, additional works identified by consultants, and the need to re-scope the project.
The approved components of the project include the construction of the runway, taxiways, links, perimeter fencing and access roads; procurement and installation of airfield lighting, navigational aids, communication and meteorological equipment; provision of power supply infrastructure including a power station and switch room; and procurement of operational vehicles, complementary agents and spare parts.
The minister confirmed that the President has approved all four components, paving the way for the resumption and completion of the second runway project.
Further briefings he said , are expected after consultations with FAAN on the transition to a more efficient toll payment system.
“Mr. President was very concerned about the welfare of Nigerians and the fact that most Nigerians were missing their flights.
“Mr President, out of empathy, directed today that we should suspend the present system because it creates a lot of gridlock and Nigerians are suffering as a result of it. He therefore directed me that we should go back to the drawing board, suspend the present system whereby people have to pay through the various means we have introduced at the various gates across the country and then go and perfect the system properly. In fact, the President directed me that this should not take too long.
“There was actually a memo before the Council today which Mr President approved on the second runway of the Abuja Airport. “
One Comment