Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, CON, FCIArb, has expressed satisfaction with the smooth flow of traffic following the implementation of the hybrid payment system at the tollgate of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This was contained in a statement signed by Margaret Oyinboade, Ag. Head, Press, and Public Affairs.
Keyamo, who visited the tollgate to personally monitor the implementation, observed that vehicular movement had significantly improved due to the introduction of the temporary hybrid payment arrangement.
“I have observed that the traffic is now flowing freely, and this is because of the implementation of the hybrid system that we have decided to adopt,” he stated.
Keyamo explained that the Federal Government had earlier directed the suspension of the strict enforcement of the cashless payment system following the traffic gridlock experienced during its initial implementation. According to him, the hybrid system was introduced as an interim measure to ensure continued revenue collection while easing traffic around the airport.
He noted that commuters who had previously purchased the cashless access cards would continue to use them, with payments going directly into the Treasury Single Account (TSA), while a limited number of users are temporarily allowed to pay cash until the full transition to a cashless system is completed.
Keyamo, however, emphasized that the Federal Government remains fully committed to a cashless system in line with government policy. “There is no going back on the cashless system. There is a Federal Government directive that no agency should collect cash, and we have a limited time to run this hybrid arrangement before migrating fully to cashless payment,” he said.
Keyamo further disclosed that the Ministry is currently engaging concessionaires to deploy fully automated electronic tollgate infrastructure that will process payments seamlessly and remit revenues directly to the TSA. Adding that a sub-committee has already been set up to review proposals from potential concessionaires before presenting a business case to the Federal Executive Council for approval.
Keyamo therefore highlighted the need for improved infrastructure at the tollgate, including the creation of layover and detour points for vehicles unable to complete payment immediately, expansion of the tollgate area, installation of proper signage indicating traffic lanes, and deployment of standby towing vehicles to remove broken-down vehicles promptly.
He also reiterated the government’s position against preferential passage at tollgates, stressing that automation would eliminate the culture of VIP exemptions.
“When the system becomes fully automated, everyone will interact directly with the machine. Whether you are a big man or not, you must pay before the barrier opens,” he stated.
Keyamo commended the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) for initiating the move towards a cashless tollgate system and directed that incentives be introduced to encourage commuters to adopt the electronic access cards.
He further assured Nigerians that the Ministry would soon launch a comprehensive sensitization campaign to fully prepare airport users for the transition to an automated tollgate system.
Keyamo assured airport users that normalcy would soon be fully restored as the government works towards the complete automation of the tollgate system.
Also speaking, the Director, Commercial and Business Development , Federal Airports Authority (FAAN), Mrs. Adebola Joy Agunbiade explained that the earlier traffic gridlock was largely caused by the unbundling process associated with the initial implementation of the cashless payment system.
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