Nigerian Flight Deck Travel and Business Reportage
- Rep caution Sirika against subverting NCAA’s authority
Rumours over a massive resignation at the regulatory agency, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) have drawn the attention of the House of Representatives who have cautioned Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika to exercise restraints and allow promoters of Nigeria Air go through the hurdles.
Privileged information reaching NigerianFLIGHTDECK is that Aviation Minister had allegedly directed NCAA to release AOC for Nigeria Air by Tuesday and the directors said it was not possible, amidst threat of sack, they all said they were willing to tender their resignations.
The Chairman, Honourable House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Aviation, Honourable Nnolim Nnaji, gave this caution following concern about the brewing threats of mass resignations among the critical personnel of the authority which according to him could lead to severe consequences in the oversight capabilities of the regulatory agency.
Honourable Nnaji also said the minister, at the last meeting with the House Committee on Aviation, pledged to submit the Proposed Airline’s Final Business Case (FBC) which would give details of all the investors and their shares but he never did till date.
According to him, the whole Nigeria Air idea did not have the backing of the parliament because all the contentious issues raised by the legislature regarding the project remained unresolved.
On the caution he said, “I understand that some senior personnel of the authority are threatening to turn in their resignation letters over claims of pressures on NCAA from the Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika to grant waivers to the proposed Nigeria Air.
“It is a well acknowledged fact that the Minister has a passionate desire to deliver a national carrier to Nigerians but if the project could not materialise under him it shouldn’t be a do or die affair.
“Government is a continuum. Whatever he could not accomplish, the next government or next minister after him will take over. I believe that any good projects he could not finish his predecessor will not abandon them so long as they will add value to the industry” He stressed.
He also cautioned the Minister to exercise restraints and allow the promoters of Nigeria Air to undergo the whole processes and procedures for approvals of Air Transport Licence (ATOL,) and Air Operator’s Certificate, (AOC).
Honourable Nnaji also observed that there were grave fear and panic in the industry at the moment over sack gale and urged the minister to douse the tension by coming out clean on what he planned to do.
Rep Nnaji, who represents Nkanu East/West Federal Constituency of Enugu State further noted that the industry remained a very sensitive and fragile sector that should be devoid of apprehension and trepidation in every respect.
