GIS Denies $240m E-Gate Cost Allegations, Clarifies Project Scope and Funding
The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has refuted claims that the E-Gate system at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) cost taxpayers $240 million, describing the allegations as misleading.
The controversy arose following accusations of corruption and the decision to engage Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a private company, for the project.
Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza, criticized the arrangement, labeling it a “create, loot, and share” scheme, during a media interview on Wednesday, December 18.
Mr Agbodza expressed concern over the purported $147 million expenditure on the system, questioning its cost relative to the $250 million spent on constructing the entire Terminal 3 airport.
In a statement issued on Thursday, December 19, GIS clarified that the claims were inaccurate and provided detailed information on the project’s cost breakdown.
Cost Breakdown and Project Scope
According to GIS, the E-Gate system is part of a broader “Immigration 360” border management initiative, aimed at fully automating passenger processing at 48 approved entry and exit points.
The project addresses challenges related to sovereignty, interoperability, and technical inefficiencies in existing systems. Figures shared by GIS include:
- Total Project Cost: $94.6 million for the implementation of Immigration 360.
- KIA E-Gate System: $5.5 million, of which the 15 E-Gate units cost $1.7 million.
- 10-Year Cycle Cost: $240 million, covering periodic upgrades, maintenance, and licensing fees.
“The $240 million includes two periodic wholesale upgrades of critical system components and maintenance costs over the 10-year cycle, ensuring operational efficiency and the delivery of a refreshed system at the end of the term,” GIS explained.
Pre-Financing and Local Development
GIS emphasized that the project is being pre-financed by Margins ID Systems Application Ltd, a Ghanaian company, with repayments to be made from revenue generated by the system’s usage.
The system integrates seamlessly with local databases, such as the National Identification System (NIS), Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and international systems like INTERPOL’s Stop/Watch List.
It also supports functionalities like advanced passenger information and personal identification systems to bolster security and facilitate trade.
GIS Calls for Public Support
GIS reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and accountability, urging the public to disregard the misinformation.
It stressed the benefits of the new system in enhancing passenger clearance and improving border security nationwide.
Read Details of Press Statement Below:
