The business clime of Nigeria has witnessed another milestone in its drive to be a first world economy.
In a strategic move towards enhancing airport security and streamlining passenger processes, the Federal Government, spearheaded by Bola Ahmed Tinubu, orchestrated a trial of the recently implemented electronic gates (e-gates) at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja.
Truth Live News gathered that the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, revealed that the e-gate installation is on the verge of completion, with readiness standing at an impressive 99 percent. Dr. Tunji-Ojo further disclosed that the e-gates are poised to commence full-fledged operations by the imminent week.
Accompanied by key officials such as Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, and Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, Dr. Tunji-Ojo elucidated on the multifaceted benefits of the e-gates. These benefits encompass a reduction in human interactions, the streamlining of processes, and the facilitation of smoother passenger movements in and out of the nation.
The deployment strategy entails the installation of 29 e-gates in Lagos, with additional installations of four each in Enugu and Kano, and five in Port-Harcourt. Dr. Tunji-Ojo underscored the meticulous testing conducted on airport infrastructure and command and control centers, highlighting the successful detection and rejection of counterfeit and expired passports, while authentic ones were promptly cleared.
Emphasizing the pivotal role of e-gate infrastructure in fortifying airport security, Dr. Tunji-Ojo stressed its efficacy in thwarting the ingress of undesirable individuals or persons of interest into Nigeria.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo lauded the collaborative efforts among various stakeholders, including the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Customs Service. Additionally, he commended the Minister of Aviation, Hon. Festus Keyamo (SAN), and other indispensable stakeholders for their contributions towards this transformative initiative, aligning seamlessly with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.