Posted by Sade Williams
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said it will soon commence cashless transactions across airports in the country in order to foster ease of payment, create payment options and improve the speed and convenience of payment.
The general manager corporate communications Mrs Henrietta Yakubu, in an interview in Lagos, said all necessary arrangements have been put in place for the smooth take off of the exercise.
According to her, the cashless transactions will reduce the carrying of cash as transactions will be available in different ways such as Point of Sales (PoS), money transfers adding that Remita agents have also been positioned strategically at various points across the airports.
She explained that the initiative was designed under the Presidential Enabling Environment Business Council (PEBEC) to ensure convenience and curb corruption.
She added that identification of car parks, cargo section, chartered /unscheduled flights among others will be captured in the system.
“It will help FAAN to eliminate leakages and further increase revenue base of the organization. No government official will handle cash during transactions when the exercise takes off. We are soliciting the cooperation of all airport users, concessionaires and the general public to ensure a hitch free exercise”
Mrs. Yakubu noted further that the decision to adopt digital payment was as a result of the success of the Executive Order of the Federal Government which helps creates enabling business environment in the country especially within the airports as entry points into the country.
She explained that it was also to ensure that those doing business at the airports were not harassed but furnished with accurate information on what and where to pay at every point in time.
She said visa on arrival which has commenced at the airport was part of the Ease of Doing Business adding that the digital payment was another feat to be achieved.
Mrs. Yakubu noted that at the end, it will be a win – win situation for both FAAN and customers adding that the agency has been repositioned to provide improved services for customers.
She disclosed that FAAN has started sensitization of the general public through jingles.
