In a move to address revenue losses and promote fairness in airport services, the Nigerian government has canceled VIP exemptions for access fees at federal airports. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, announced this decision following a two-day meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
Keyamo revealed that exemptions for VIPs had led to an 82% revenue loss, amounting to about N10 billion, due to the non-payment of access fees. He emphasized the need for equity, stating that VIPs, including the President and Vice President, will now pay access fees or use e-tags at all 24 federal airports.
The Minister highlighted instances where revenue from access fees fell short due to exemptions, citing an example where revenue was less than half of the expected amount due to exemptions. He also noted concerns about accountability and corruption stemming from the issuance of complimentary e-tags.
Additionally, the Council approved a memorandum for the procurement of aircraft recovery equipment to respond to aircraft breakdowns on runways, with a budget of N4.2 billion.
In another development, the government clarified the recent suspension of the cybersecurity levy, attributing it to the need for policy review. Information and National Orientation Minister, Muhammed Idris, explained that the levy had been suspended pending a review process. The levy, set at 0.5% of the value of electronic transactions, was introduced to enhance cybersecurity in financial operations but faced criticism over its potential economic impact.