The House of Representatives has raised serious doubts about the supposed commencement of Nigeria Air during the final days of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, deeming it to be a fraudulent act, News About Nigeria reports.
Nnolim Nnaji, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, denounced the alleged launch of Nigeria Air as a fraud after key parties involved in the agreement between the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines denied having any knowledge of such a launch.
In response to the committee’s inquiries, the Ministry of Aviation asserted that Nigeria Air was merely unveiled and not officially launched.
However, the committee viewed this explanation as a deliberate attempt to divert their attention from the matter.
The committee members were taken aback when the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) revealed that an aircraft adorned with Nigerian colors was currently engaged in a chartered flight bound for Nigeria.
Other individuals involved in the discussions confirmed this revelation, emphasizing that a chartered flight can be painted in any color and bear any kind of inscription.
Nnolim Nnaji further expressed his disappointment with the lack of transparency and coordination surrounding the purported launch of Nigeria Air.
He questioned why major stakeholders in the aviation industry were unaware of such a significant development.
Furthermore, the committee discovered that the supposed unveiling of Nigeria Air had taken place at a foreign airshow without the presence of critical Nigerian aviation bodies.
This raised concerns about the legitimacy and credibility of the entire process.
Nnolim Nnaji reiterated the need for a thorough investigation into the matter, emphasizing the importance of holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
He stressed the need to protect the integrity of Nigeria’s aviation industry and prevent any further fraudulent activities.
The committee unanimously agreed to summon relevant individuals involved in the Nigeria Air project, including representatives from the Ministry of Aviation, Ethiopian Airlines, and other key stakeholders.
They aim to gather comprehensive information and clarify the discrepancies surrounding the purported launch.
Additionally, the committee plans to review the process through which agreements and partnerships in the aviation sector are established, with the goal of implementing stricter regulations to prevent similar incidents in the future.
