Keyamo Exposes FAAN’s N1 Billion Expenditure on Travel and Allowances

Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation, has disclosed that the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) spent approximately N1 billion on travel tickets and Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for its top officers shuttling between Lagos and Abuja in one year. Keyamo made this revelation on his X platform in response to questions raised during his interview on Channels TV Politics Today.

According to Keyamo, the travel expenses of FAAN’s top officials were particularly high, with some officials undertaking overseas tours almost daily. This disclosure comes in the wake of controversy surrounding FAAN’s announcement of relocating its headquarters from Abuja to Lagos, which sparked criticism from some quarters, especially in northern Nigeria.

Despite the opposition to FAAN’s relocation plan, Keyamo reiterated that the move would not be abandoned. He defended the decision, highlighting the significant costs involved in maintaining operations split between Lagos and Abuja. Keyamo pointed out that the relocation would streamline FAAN’s operations, as a majority of its staff are already based in Lagos.

Keyamo further detailed the breakdown of the expenses, stating that flight tickets alone cost over N450 million, while DTA travel expenditures amounted to N493.9 million in one year. He emphasized the challenges posed by maintaining two operational centers and the associated costs, asserting that the relocation would lead to substantial savings for FAAN.

The minister’s revelations have stirred controversy, with critics questioning the necessity and cost-effectiveness of FAAN’s travel expenses. Some have argued that such significant expenditures should be scrutinized and justified to ensure transparency and accountability in government spending.

Peoples Gazette