House of Representatives Launches Fresh Inquiry into Nigeria Air Project
The House of Representatives has initiated a new investigation into the status of Nigeria Air, a national carrier concept conceived during the previous administration. The decision came following a motion moved by Tarkighir Dickson (APC, Benue), prompting relevant aviation committees to delve into the proposed airline.
Nigeria Air was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in England on July 18, 2018, but the project was suspended just two months later amid concerns over its viability and sustainability. The initial costs for the airline were estimated at $8.8 million in preliminary expenses and $300 million for take-off.
The idea of Nigeria Air emerged years after the collapse of Nigeria Airways due to mismanagement and corruption. Former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, later announced a partnership between the Nigerian government and Ethiopian Air to finance the new carrier, with Ethiopian Air owning 49%, a consortium of local investors owning 46%, and the Nigerian government retaining 5%.
However, this arrangement faced opposition from local airline operators, leading to legal challenges and scrutiny by National Assembly committees. Despite these obstacles, Sirika and Ethiopian Air proceeded with the unveiling of Nigeria Air without obtaining necessary regulatory approvals, sparking public outrage.
Former Minister Sirika also accused the former Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji (PDP, Enugu), of soliciting a 5% stake in Nigeria Air, a claim that Nnaji denied. This allegation further added to the controversy surrounding the project.
The current Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, has since condemned the establishment process of the airline and announced its temporary suspension in September.
In response to the motion, the House of Representatives has mandated the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) and relevant ministries to provide financial data on the Nigeria Air project. Additionally, committees on Aviation and Aviation Technology will summon Minister Sirika to brief them on the project’s status and investigate the allegations and controversies surrounding it. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and local airlines will also be invited to provide insights, while a forensic audit of the Nigeria Air process will be conducted and reported back within four weeks.
Source: Premium Times
