The Nigerian government lost billions of Naira annually for not applying airport tolls to Very Important Persons and VIPs.

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Space Development, Festus Keyamo, disclosed this, justifying the inclusion of VIPs in airport toll payments.

Recall that at the end of Tuesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja, the Minister announced a new rule requiring VIPs, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kasim Shettima, to pay airport tolls.

He explained that funds that would have been used for the infrastructural development of Nigerian airports were wasted under the old rule.

According to him, VIPs will be the first to lament poor infrastructure in Nigerian airports, yet they were exempted from paying tolls under the old rule.

“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,” he said.