E-Gate at KIA is create, loot and share – Agbodza

Adaklu Lawmaker Kwame Agbodza has accused the outgoing Akufo-Addo administration of fleecing Ghanaians with the E-gate initiative at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA).

He says that whereas it took the previous Mahama administration $250 million to build the entire Terminal 3 at the KIA, the Akufo-Addo administration spent $147 million to provide the E-gate alone.

Addressing a press conference in Parliament on Wednesday, December 18, he said “The Vice President went to the airport attempting to launch something called e-gate. The truth is that thing has been part of Terminal 3  at KIA. The debate as to how it is activated. the news of the activation of the gate should have been a welcoming mews but the disaster and the embarrassment cost.  It is basically a new create, loot and share which the Vice President should have known better.

“President Mahama spent $250 million to build the entire Terminal 3 at KIA but Vice President Bawumia actually looked on when an entity in this country proposed that the e-gate alone would be $200 million Dollars. That amount has been revised to $150 million and today we are told, it is still around  $147million. What will be the justification for this? The Ministry of Finance and Ghana Immigration Service are in a rush to activate this  and allow a private entity to fleece the people of this country.”

The E-gate system was expected to grant smooth and easy passage for passengers on arrival at the airport. It was thus expected to improve turnaround time for passengers on arrival. It is also expected to help check and deal with miscreants who may want to enter the country illegally.

The E-GATE system will be replicated at the major airports across the country.

Dr Bawumia who commissioned the E- GATES on December 3, said it has ushered Ghana into a new age of digital revolution.

“Our E-GATE leverages cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence, biometrics and data processing system to create a frictionless travel experience. With the ability to facilitate E visas, Ghana is now prepared for the future of border management,” he said.

Dr Bawumia explained that, “These advancements reflect our readiness for the fourth and fifth industrial revolutions ensuring adaptability for future innovation, built by Ghanaians, for Ghanaians. These E-GATES are a symbol of national pride and ingenuity.  The new border control system and the E-GATE at the airport are designed to benefit wide range of travelers and citizens, members of the diaspora and visitors”.

Minister of the Interior Henry Quartey said the E-GATE will enhance border controls.

“The gates will enhance the Ghana Immigration Service’s ability to launch data and track persons who are of security concern,” Mr Quartey noted.

The Comptroller General of the Ghana Immigration Service Kwame Asuah Takyi lauded government for the initiative.

“The E- GATE is a significant step forward in achieving the government’s digitalization goal,” Mr Takyi stated.

The post E-Gate at KIA is create, loot and share – Agbodza first appeared on 3News.

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