Rep want exemption of Armed Forces from Ports, Train Station Access Fees

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives has urged relevant ministries and agencies to exempt members of the Armed Forces from tollgate fees and parking payments in Airports, Seaports and train stations across the country.
The House resolution followed the adoption of amendments to a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) at plenary on Tuesday.
Moving the motion, Dasuki recalled that the Minister of Aviation, Fetsus Keyamo announced that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the cancellation of all exemptions on airport access payments for VIPs in Nigeria due to the huge revenue losses they cause to the Federal Government.
The lawmaker noted that the Minister of Aviation will implement the decision of the FEC by sending out circulars to relevant authorities in a matter of days.
He said; “men and women of the Armed Forces honour Nigeria with the highest form of service and without reservation; keeping us safe from harm, protecting our wealth and territorial integrity, ensuring safe navigation on our territorial waters, protecting our borders including the Gulf of Guinea, Creeks, Sahara Desert and forests, and fighting armed bandits who invade our communities.”
According to Dasuki, it was important to show gratitude by honouring the compatriots who were voluntarily serving under “our flag, putting in their active years to keep our nation safe with some losing their lives, and some becoming disabled from the battlefield amidst other effects.”
He said honouring these men and women in uniform, and also encouraging fellow citizens to acknowledge their service to the nation is the right step to take as a way to appreciate the immeasurable sacrifices they make.
The lawmaker expressed concern that members of the Armed Forces are subjected to paying for access to the airports where they are also expected to protect citizens and foreigners alike whether or not they are on duty and even while they are passengers themselves.
“Also concerned that their services though remunerated cannot be quantified especially when the risks to them and their dependents are considered, therefore we should not be hesitant to show them in our little way that we see them and we acknowledge their sacrifices.