Abuja: Abuja Investment Company Ltd. (AICL) has inaugurated an automated gate access control system at the Garki International Market to curb revenue leakages, enhance security and modernise operations. The Group Managing Director of AICL, Dr Maureen Tamuno, said this in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Tamuno, during the commissioning of the project in Abuja, said that the initiative represented a shift toward efficiency, transparency and accountability in market administration. She stated that AICL remained committed to creating sustainable value, enhancing commercial assets and positioning Abuja as a competitive investment destination. The newly deployed system replaces manual cash collection with a secure technology-driven platform.
Tamuno explained that the platform is powered by automatic number plate recognition cameras, barrier gates, handheld Point-of-Sale (POS) devices and a centralised real-time monitoring dashboard. The solution was deployed in partnership with Global Software and Digital Solutions Limited (GSDS), integrating vehicle entry automation, ticketing, digital payment processing and centralised reporting across all entry and exit points of the market.
The platform digitally records every vehicle entry, duration of stay and payment, thereby eliminating revenue leakages while strengthening transparency and accountability. Tamuno emphasized that the project is designed to protect businesses, safeguard customers and enhance the overall commercial experience. It ensures that every vehicle entry, duration and payment is digitally recorded, improving accountability and enhancing security through controlled access and monitoring.
Tamuno aligned the initiative with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu and the reform drive of the FCT Administration under Nyesom Wike. She described it as part of a broader push to digitise public infrastructure and improve ease of doing business in the capital. AICL’s Chief Investment Officer, Mr Abiodun Akanbi, highlighted that the project is the first of its kind within the FCT market system and reflects a renewed focus on technology-driven operations.
The Vice-President, Sales and Operations, GSDS, Mr Pushkar Nanda, stated that the system leverages innovative number plate recognition and QR code-based entry and exit processes to guarantee full accountability and improved user experience. Representatives of the Market Traders Association welcomed the development, describing it as a milestone that would reinforce the market’s status as one of Abuja’s foremost international trading centres.
The automated gate system is expected to serve as a model for other markets across the FCT as authorities intensify efforts to modernise infrastructure, boost internally generated revenue and strengthen governance through digital transformation.