Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo has announced plans to review the first seven days of implementation of the new cashless payment system at airports nationwide, aimed at eliminating corruption and optimizing revenue. In a post on X, Keyamo stated, “We will surely improve the efficiency of the new system as time progresses… this government is determined to end the practice of collecting cash at our gates. Kindly bear with us, please.”
The review follows widespread gridlocks at Lagos and Abuja airport toll gates on March 1 when FAAN enforced the cashless policy. FAAN Director Henry Agbebire apologized for the inconvenience, noting that while 30,000 cards were onboarded before launch, many motorists waited until the last minute, with an additional 40,000 registered in the first three days. Agbebire explained that go-cashless cards offer the fastest access, while debit card payments may cause delays. VIP e-tags are also available for regular airport vehicles.
Key Points
Keyamo’s review acknowledges initial implementation challenges while reaffirming commitment to the policy.
The 40,000 cards onboarded in three days post-launch suggests pent-up demand or late compliance.
The apology and review demonstrate government responsiveness to public feedback.
The multiple payment options (cards, e-tags) aim to balance speed and accessibility.
The policy’s anti-corruption objective addresses long-standing issues with cash collections at airport gates.
Festus Keyamo’s promise to review the cashless policy’s first week signals government attentiveness to teething problems, even as the rapid post-launch registration surge suggests the policy’s long-term viability may outweigh initial disruptions.
Sources: The Cable
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