THE directive by President Bola Tinubu that all Very Important Persons including himself and his deputy, Kashim Shettima, must pay airport toll fees is sensible. It could end the arrogance of entitlement among the influential. The Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, must leave no stone unturned to achieve the directive.

At the 48-hour Federal Executive Council meeting presided over recently by the President, he rolled out 21 major policy initiatives, including a seamless 48-hour visa processing policy for potential foreign investors, a ban on sand dredging 10 kilometres from federal bridges nationwide, and the outright cancellation of airport toll fees exemption for VIPs. This is good.

Tinubu needs to extend this gesture to other perks being enjoyed by VIPs. It will reduce the rabid display of power and their flamboyance in the face of gnawing poverty in the country.

The pervading impunity of the elite is nerve-wracking. For years, VIPs have openly spurned the payments of levies and dues, especially lawmakers, Presidency officials, and security agents. Keyamo noted that VIPs evade the payment of airport toll fees and have made it a “tradition” to lobby for complimentary e-tags or stickers to avoid paying airport access fees, parking, and essential services. Only 18 per cent of the e-tags are sold. This translates to a revenue loss of 82 per cent, which is handed out as complimentary tickets or stickers.

Keyamo rightly argued, “It is inconceivable that the VIPs don’t pay for services, but the poor pay.”This is absurd. Bad behaviour is entrenched among the influential class in Nigeria. Elsewhere, tolling is standard, including India.

With impunity entrenched, there could be a rash of disobedience, violence, official complicity, and underhand dealings to sabotage the presidential initiative. Therefore, the minister must be prepared to create guardrails against sabotage, and fully implement the policy.

Robust technology measures should be implemented to collect toll payments, monitor financial activities, and deliver clear operational metrics.

While the reported announcement of the sale of e-tags at federal airports may signal a new aviation regime, there is a need to sensitise the public and train Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria officials to achieve seamless implementation. The government must be weary of policy summersaults, it must build a viable aviation sector.

The Federal Government should reverse the awful and illegal tradition of evading tolls and service fees by whipping the VIPs and the military into line with heavy sanctions and fines. CCTV cameras should be installed strategically to expose unruly behaviour and corrupt acts that impede revenue generation.

Keyamo said the seamless collection of airport toll and services fees has the potential to generate N10 billion annually. With the economy on the verge of collapse, government must harness this with accountability and transparency.

The 1995 FAAN Act (Part IV) empowers the agency to levy and collect various charges from various categories of airport users to support the maintenance and development of airport infrastructure. The agency should name, shame, and reprimand those who disobey the law.

Indeed, this initiative highlights the urgent need for the government to block loopholes and waste in the economy. Nigeria loses 400,000 barrels daily to oil theft and 91 per cent of its mining revenues to illegal miners. It loses $26 billion annually to tax system gaps, says the Federal Government.

To achieve the mandate, Tinubu, his deputy, and ministers, should lead by example. The President should take decisive action instead of paying lip service to credible reforms.

Update news