In a move to ensure equity and revenue generation at the nation’s airports, President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Senator Kashim Shettima, along with other VIPs, will now pay airport access tolls and parking fees.
This decision came following the approval of a memorandum by the Federal Executive Council (FEC), chaired by President Tinubu, scrapping toll exemptions for VIPs and government officials utilizing airport facilities.
Addressing journalists after Tuesday’s FEC meeting, Minister of Aviation, Mr. Festus Keyamo, disclosed the rationale behind the decision, citing the loss of over 82% of potential revenue from airport e-tags due to VIP exemptions.
Initially, the memorandum recommended an exemption for the president and vice president. However, President Tinubu overruled this, asserting that he, the VP, and their aides must pay tolls.
“Our memo says ‘with the exception of the President and the Vice President.’ But the President overruled me and said he and the Vice President will pay, he said everybody will pay,” Keyamo revealed.
Expressing concern over VIPs evading toll payments while relying on charges from the poor, Keyamo emphasized that this practice must end. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that all airport users, regardless of status, contribute to essential services and revenue generation.
“They don’t pay the access fees. They don’t pay for parking, they don’t pay for essential services at airports, and they are VIPs. And I told myself on my team, I said not under my watch. It will not happen,” he asserted.
Keyamo also addressed the issue of uniformed officers harassing airport staff at gates, promising to deploy more cameras to monitor such misconduct.
Additionally, he highlighted the potential annual revenue generation of N10 billion from tolls, while considering rebates for military veterans.
The decision marks a significant step towards ensuring fairness and accountability in airport operations, signaling the government’s commitment to equitable revenue generation and service provision.