Business
Stop Direct Collection Of PSC, CPC Tells FAAN
The Director General, Consumer Protection Council (CPC), Mrs Ify Umenyi,has advised the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) not to collect N1,000 Passengers Service Charge (PSC) directly from travellers at International Airports.
Umenyi gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Abuja on Monday, adding that CPC would discuss the issue with FAAN in the interest of passengers.
She said collecting PSC was an issue between FAAN and airline operators, which should be resolved amicably without involving passengers.
Umenyi said that the commission was aware that FAAN had earlier complained that airlines did not remit the charge to it after collection from passengers.
“FAAN claimed that they are collecting a charge that was supposed to have been collected by the air operators and remit to them but because they are not remitting, they decided to start collecting the charge.
“It is wrong, we would actually take it up with FAAN because they should resolve their internal issues; consumers should not be made to be part of what is supposed to be an issue between air operators and FAAN.
“I am sure FAAN has other ways of ensuring that airlines pay them their dues, so consumers should not come into it and CPC is going to see to it that consumers should not come into it,’’ Umenyi said.
She said that CPC had discussed the issue with FAAN, adding that a letter had been written to Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which was aware of the
situation.
FAAN had pasted the notice at various international airports since June 1 directing that passengers travelling locally should pay N1,000 cash as PSC before they could be issued boarding passes.
Mr AIfred Itua, FAAN Head of Public Affairs, Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, told newsmen that the collection of the PSC was in order.
He said FAAN management had directed its staff to collect the money from passengers since airline operators were not remitting the money to FAAN.
“For more than 20 years, government has stopped giving us subventions. We use whatever we generate to pay staff salaries, maintain the airports and other projects,’’ he said.
Itua said the money was being used to pay staff salaries and to run other projects, such as the maintenance of the airport, improvement of facilities, apron expansion, perimeter fencing, road and remodeling of terminal building.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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