The Federal Capital Territory Administration has introduced an automated gate access control system at the Garki International Market, Abuja, in a move aimed at blocking revenue leakages, improving security and modernising market operations.
The project was implemented through the Abuja Investments Company Limited, the investment arm of the FCT Administration.
Speaking during the commissioning of the facility in Abuja on Wednesday, the Group Managing Director of AICL, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, said the initiative was designed to strengthen transparency and accountability in the management of one of the territory’s busiest commercial centres.
Tamuno explained that the new system replaces manual cash collection with a technology-driven platform that automates vehicle entry and exit while capturing payments digitally.
She said the system is powered by automatic number plate recognition cameras, barrier gates, handheld Point of Sale devices and a centralised monitoring dashboard that records every vehicle entry and payment in real time.
According to her, the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the ongoing reforms of the FCT Administration aimed at improving ease of doing business and promoting digital transformation in public infrastructure.
Tamuno added that beyond protecting revenue, the automated gate system would also enhance security through controlled access, improve traffic management and reduce congestion within the market.
“The system ensures that every vehicle entry, duration of stay and payment is digitally recorded. This will eliminate revenue leakages and improve accountability in market operations,” she said.
Also speaking, the Chief Investment Officer of AICL, Abiodun Akabi, described the project as the first of its kind within the FCT market system.
He noted that the initiative reflects the administration’s commitment to adopting technology-driven solutions to improve efficiency in public facilities.
In his remarks, the Vice-President, Sales and Operations of Global Software and Digital Solutions Limited, Pushkar Nanda, said the system uses number plate recognition and QR code technology to ensure accurate entry and exit monitoring.
Representatives of the market traders’ association welcomed the development, describing it as a major step towards improving the management and commercial viability of the market.
The automated gate system is expected to serve as a model for other markets across the FCT as authorities intensify efforts to modernise infrastructure and boost internally generated revenue.
