Aviation stakeholders ask ministry for full disclosure of disbursed N27bn bailout fund
By Abisola THOMPSON
Aviation stakeholders and airline operators have asked the Ministry of Aviation to give full disclosure on the disbursement of the N27 billion released to the aviation industry.
The fund was for the stimulus package to cushion the effect of COVID-19 pandemic which crippled world’s economy in 2020.
They told aviation correspondents that only five billion naira was released by the Ministry of Aviation to some airlines, all the ground handling companies, travel agencies and car hire operators since January 2021.
TBI Africa reports that airlines like Aero Contractors, West Link, TAL Helicopters and a few others, are are yet to receive their own share of the initial N5 billion.
Although, the minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had claimed the remaining N22bn would be expended on aviation roadmap and national carrier, an operator had asked, ‘what are these roadmap and why the failed national carrier project?
Speaking on the palliative, Capt. Ibrahim Mshelia, Chief Executive Officer of West Link Airline described the whole scenario as a mirage, adding that even after submitting details of account and company, nothing was forthcoming.
“The whole thing is a mirage. I don’t know what is going on. I have not received. There are some people who have received? My office submitted the necessary documents even though am a member of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON).
“They said we should submit our account and other details to the ministry of aviation for the collection of palliative. We wrote to the minister directly and attention the committee, which was received.
“On the N27 billion released by the government, I am not aware of this at all, but what I can say is that everything seems to be shrouded in secrecy. Nobody knows anything.
“I know government has given us money and I heard some people have not received. I know other colleagues who has not equally received.
“It is obvious the ministry just handpicked those they wanted.
“They don’t want to give. It appears that we are less in number that didn’t receive. It is obvious a few of us were targeted. Whatever reason, I don’t know. Nobody has called me why I have not received and when I will receive it”, he added.
Another operator, Mr Femi Adeniji, Chief Executive Officer of Tropical Arctic Logistics (TAL) Helicopter Company noted that all his efforts to get his own share of the palliative had proved abortive.
Adeniji added that even the few airlines that got the palliative, salaries were still being owed and staff were complaining in their company.
According him, I have tried, I have called the Federal Ministry of Aviation; I have four helicopters that I am operating. They asked us to send account numbers, which we did.
He said even up to last Friday, he still called them to find out what is going on, unfortunately, he was in the US when his company’s name was published as among those who will receive the palliative but it had not gotten anything up until now.
“They said they were going to give it to us, salaries are still being owed, staff are complaining. If they say they are going to give us, let them give us.
“They should not put it in the newspapers and nothing happens thereafter. I understand they got N25bn from the government and they have so far disburse N5bn.
“Even at that, why give some airlines and not give the others?” he asked.
Group Capt. John Ojikutu (retd), Chief Executive Officer of Centurion Aviation said there was need to ask the National Assembly to also explain how much was given to the agencies, the airlines and the amount budgeted for the establishment of national carrier.
Ojikutu, a former commandant of Lagos Airport said if the airlines were getting palliatives to revamp their operations and pay salaries, they should expect same for the government agencies too for their equipment and staff; how much for these?
The former commandant said they need to know for the six aviation agencies the amount that was disbursed for the new ‘national carrier’?
“We need to know. So, we need to ask the Senate and House of Representatives that approved the money and the ministry that is disbursing it,” he said.
Also speaking, Mr Olayinka Abioye, former General Secretary, National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), said the agencies are still struggling to get things done after the COVID-19 pandemic that ravaged the industry.
Abioye added that the fund that ought to have been disbursed to the ministry might not have been released to them.
“I am not sure if the money has been released to the ministry, I think the agencies are still struggling to get the money from the ministry of finance. All agencies have submitted their needs, which is mainly on staff salary and overhead
“The agencies are liaising with finance for the money, but I was made to understand that there were small challenges between the finance and aviation Ministry,” he said.
