The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has accused the previous Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, of conducting a huge fraud and secretive launch of Nigeria Air during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.
The committee, led by Chairman Nnolim Nnaji, expressed their dissatisfaction with the lack of involvement of the National Assembly in the establishment of the national carrier.
During an investigative hearing in Abuja, major stakeholders, including the Ministry of Aviation, Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Airline Operators of Nigeria, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), and Skyway Aviation Handling Company Plc (SAHCOL), denied having any knowledge of the airline’s unveiling.
The meeting was marked by heated exchanges between government agencies and local private operators.
The NAMA Managing Director, Tayib Mohammed Odunowo, revealed that the aircraft, adorned with Nigerian colors, was actually a chartered flight from Ethiopia.
With a heavy heart, Captain Dayo Olumide, the managing director of Nigerian Air, made a stunning confession to Senate.
He revealed that the extravagant plane with the prestigious Nigeria Aircraft insignia was, in fact, a chartered aircraft from Ethiopia, procured to dazzle… pic.twitter.com/oEFjX82bm1
— Mo-Mo (@Morris_Monye) June 7, 2023
The committee strongly criticized Sirika for his absence and failure to provide relevant documents related to the project, stating that as representatives of the people, they do not support the launch due to unresolved issues and questionable timing.
Additionally, the committee has called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a high-level presidential committee for a comprehensive review of the project’s processes.
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