BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, on Friday, inspected the access gates at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport to assess the performance of the newly introduced hybrid payment system for vehicles entering the airport.
The visit followed the Ministry’s directive restoring the hybrid payment arrangement, allowing both cash and electronic payments, after the earlier suspension of the fully cashless access gate system as directed by President Bola Tinubu.
During the inspection, the Minister monitored traffic flow at the airport gates and interacted with officials of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) overseeing the implementation of the new arrangement.
Keyamo expressed satisfaction with the improved vehicular movement recorded since the introduction of the hybrid payment option.
He also commended the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of FAAN, Olubunmi Kuku, and the agency’s management team for what he described as prompt operational adjustments aimed at easing congestion and improving access into the airport.
According to the Minister, “the hybrid payment system serves as an interim measure while the Ministry continues engagements with concessionaires to deploy a fully automated and electronic access gate system across Nigeria’s airports.”
He added that the Ministry is also considering further operational improvements, including the introduction of dedicated lanes for cash payments to reduce traffic build-up at the access points.
The inspection, he noted, reflects the Federal Government’s determination to ensure smoother airport access, reduce traffic congestion and enhance the travel experience for passengers and other airport users.
Olapeju is a journalist and aviation reporter.
