JUST IN: ABUJA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S FG TESTS E-GATE

Babatunji Wusu –

The federal government led by Bola Ahmed Tinubu tested the electronic gates, or “e-gates,” that are situated at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on Friday.

Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the Minister of the Interior, conducted the e-gate test.

The Minister stated that the e-gates would be operational by next week, but he also revealed that the job is 99 percent finished.

Dr. Aishetu Ndayako, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, and Kemi Nanna Nandap, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, among other high-ranking government officials, accompanied Tunji-Ojo as she explained that the purpose of the e-gates is to do away with human interfaces, cut down on bureaucracy, and facilitate smooth passenger movements in and out of the nation.

He said that 29 e-gates would be installed in Lagos, four in Kano and Enugu, and five in Port-Harcourt.

He said that phony and expired passports were turned away during testing of the airport’s infrastructure and command and control centers, but valid passports passed.

“With this massive infrastructure, we believe that no unwanted persons or persons of interests can find their way into Nigeria. Our security through the Airports and in the Airport domains are guaranteed,” he said.

“It is a testimony to what Mr President told us from day one on his Renewed Hope Agenda. He asked us to change the narratives and make passengers’ movements in and out of the country seamless.

“You can see that we have all our team here working in synergy with the authorities of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigeria Customs Service, and other stakeholders.

“I must at this point commend the Minister of Aviation, Hon Festus Keyamo (SAN), and other critical stakeholders who have made this transformation possible.”