Reps ask FG to exempt army personnel from paying tolls at airports, seaports

The Home of Representatives has requested the federal authorities to exempt army personnel from paying tolls at airports, seaports and practice stations throughout the nation.

This decision was a sequel to a movement of pressing public significance by Abdulsamad Dasuki (PDP, Sokoto) on Tuesday throughout plenary.

The Federal Govt Council (FEC) final week permitted the cancellation of all exemptions on airport entry funds for VIPs in Nigeria as a result of big income losses they trigger to the federal government

Prior to now, crucial Nigerians together with the president, vice chairman and a few authorities officers, have been exempted from paying entry charges on the airports’ gates.

Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Growth, Festus Keyamo, mentioned the approval for this class of Nigerians to start out paying the charges was given following a memo he offered on the FEC assembly.

Shifting the movement, Mr Dasuki mentioned armed forces personnel should be exempted from paying tolls to entry airports.

The lawmaker argued that the exemption would function an honour to the personnel for the sacrifices they make.

“Women and men of the armed forces honour our nation with the best type of service and with out reservation; holding us protected from hurt, defending our wealth and territorial integrity, making certain protected navigation on our territorial waters, defending our borders together with the Gulf of Guinea, Creeks, Sahara Desert and forests, and combating armed bandits who invade our communities.

“It is very important present gratitude by honouring our brothers and sisters who’re voluntarily serving underneath our flag, placing of their lively years to maintain our nation protected with some shedding their lives, and a few turning into disabled from the battlefield amidst different results,” the legislator mentioned.

Mr Dasuki mentioned the motion could be symbolic to encourage recruitment into the army. He urged the federal government to be intentional in honouring uniformed males.

“Involved that their providers, although remunerated, can’t be quantified, particularly when the dangers to them and their dependents are thought of. Due to this fact, we shouldn’t be hesitant to point out them in our little means that we see them and we acknowledge their sacrifices,” he mentioned.

Mr Dasuki’s movement was particularly on airports, nonetheless, Hussein Jalo (PDP, Kaduna) moved an modification to the movement that the privilege ought to be prolonged to seaports, railway stations and motor parks.

The modification was adopted.

When the movement as amended was put to vote by the presiding officer, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, it was overwhelmingly supported by the lawmakers.

Consequently, Mr Tajudeen directed the related committees of the Home to make sure compliance.