The House of Representatives has passed a resolution calling for a waiver for military personnel in all airports on the payment of tollgate fees.
This followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Abdulsamad Dasuki (APC-Sokoto) on Tuesday on the floor of the House in Abuja.
Preventing the motion, Mr Dasuki said aviation minister Festus Keyamo had announced the cancellation of all exemptions on airport tollgate fees for VIPs due to revenue losses by the federal government.
He stated that it was important to show gratitude to members of the Armed Forces for serving the country diligently, with some losing their lives. The legislator said honouring them would acknowledge their service to the nation.
He said this would inspire youths to enlist in the military not as a means of getting employed but as a valuable call to provide service to the nation.
“Members of the Armed Forces are subjected to paying for access to our airports where they are also expected to protect citizens and foreigners alike whether or not they are on duty,” he said.
Mr Dasuki said their services, though remunerated, could be quantified, especially when the risks to them and their dependents were considered.
“We should not be hesitant to show them in our little way that we see them and we acknowledge their sacrifices. Unless we are intentional in showing our appreciation to them by extending privileges like the proposed exemption, our nation would appear to underrate their services and lack knowledge of the value that they bring,” the legislator explained.
Adopting the motion, the parliament directed Mr Keyamo to mandate the relevant authorities to exempt members of the armed forces from tollgate fees and payment of parking fees in airports across Nigeria.
The parliament also directed its aviation committee to ensure compliance with the directive.