BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
To carry its relevant stakeholders along, the Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Kuku has commenced a public awareness campaign designed to ensure all airport users are well-informed about the new policy on access gate fees.
The awareness campaign is consistent with the recent directive from the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, mandating all citizens (VIPs inclusive) to pay access gate fees at all 24 airports nationwide.
The FAAN MD affirmed that implementing this mandate immediately will address one of the key revenue leakages the new management is determined to eliminate.
Speaking on the new policy, she commended President Bola Tinubu and the Minister for their proactive role in helping to give vent to the use of technology in order to shore up revenue, prevent leakages, and reduce the abuse of privileges by VIPs.
She emphasised that, “FAAN is currently poised to leverage technology to intensify its revenue drive. The new mandate also provides some protection for FAAN staff, who are often bullied and railroaded by VIPs and military personnel.”
Mrs Kuku also mentioned that though the implementation of the E-tag regime in Lagos and Abuja international airports and non-exclusion of VIPs in the payment for access gate fees at all airports in Nigeria is immediate, efforts are being made to ameliorate the traffic gridlock that may be experienced at the early stages of the implementation of the directive, especially in Lagos and Abuja airports.
According to her, “The good news is that all government organisations, the military and VIPs are fully in support of Mr.
President on this directive. FAAN is, therefore, guaranteed maximum support from all sides.”
Mrs. Kuku is currently on a mission to reposition FAAN as she prioritizes key strategic reforms in line with the 5-point agenda of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development.
