By Peter Omopo
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has apologised to motorists and airport users following traffic congestion at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja on the first day of its nationwide Go Cashless programme.
In a statement issued on Sunday via its official X handle, FAAN said the gridlock was caused by a large number of drivers attempting to register for the new Go Cashless cards at the airport toll gates despite prior notices encouraging early registration at designated centres.
The authority acknowledged that the on-the-spot registration at the access gates created pressure on toll lanes and resulted in temporary traffic build-up.
FAAN stated that the Go Cashless programme officially commenced full operation at the access gates of the two airports in line with the Federal Government’s directive on cashless transactions. It noted that although extensive publicity and repeated announcements were made ahead of the launch date, many motorists chose to register at the gates on the first day.
While admitting that initial adjustment challenges were anticipated with a major system transition, FAAN said it had provided ample notice to help motorists avoid congestion.
To address the situation, the authority said it had deployed additional personnel to the access gates, increased registration points to speed up first-time card issuance and strengthened on-ground coordination to improve traffic flow.
FAAN appealed for patience and cooperation from airport users, stating that the transition is intended to deliver long-term benefits including faster processing, improved transparency, reduced risks associated with cash handling and a more efficient airport environment.
The agency urged motorists who are yet to obtain their Go Cashless cards to take advantage of the expanded registration support and plan ahead for future visits, reiterating its commitment to providing a safe and efficient airport experience.
