The Nigerian government is losing billions of Naira annually due to the lack of airport tolls for Very Important Persons and VIPs, Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Space Development has stated.
This decision to include VIPs in airport toll payments was made after it was revealed that funds meant for airport infrastructure development were being squandered under the previous rule.
Despite VIPs being the first to criticize the poor airport infrastructure, they were exempt from paying tolls until the recent announcement requiring them to do so.
The new rule now includes VIPs like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kasim Shettima in the payment of airport tolls.
Keyamo said:
“This has led to the annual loss of billions of Naira, not millions, in the past. Yet, our airport infrastructure, you know, is decaying. I am helpless. I’m looking for concessionaires. I’m looking for help with decaying infrastructure.
“They will be the first to cry out, these same VIPs— ‘Why are the toilets like this? Why are your toilets smelling? Why can’t you can’t you do this?’
“They are the same people but don’t pay for the services. So, if we want improved infrastructure at the airport, we must pay for services.
