The former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, Sen. Hadi Sirika, has said that only three billion naira was released by the Federal Government towards establishing Nigeria Air
Sirika made this known on Sunday in Abuja during a programme on Arise TV.
According to him, from 2016 to 2023, the budget for the Nigeria Air is 5bn, and only 3 billion was released, and up till today, the money has not been completely spent.
He said the government of Nigeria did not pay a dime for the Nigeria Air to come for the unveiling on May 26.
“It is ridiculous to think that we’ll hire and paint an aircraft for N138Bn, which could get us five new Boeing 777max.
“We are responsible people and the general public should approach Ministry of Information and apply for the right of information to see for themselves.
“The House committee chairman on aviation asked for 5 per cent of Nigeria Air for himself and his people. I asked him to approach the owners of the airline,” he said.
According to him, former President Olusegun Obasanjo handed Nigeria Airways to his friend company, Arik Air, which is indebted to the tune of over N300bn, of which Nigeria taxpayers money is N250bn via AMCON.
“So, do we hand it over to Arik?” he asked, rhetorically.
TheLeadng had reported that Sirika had come under criticism when the acting Managing Director of the Nigeria Air, Capt. Dapo Olumide, disclosed that the aircraft that flew in with the logo of the airline was chartered from the Ethiopian Airline for the purpose of unveiling the logo.
Olumide said this in Abuja when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Aviation.
He said that the airline had yet to secure an operating licence for full flight operations, saying that the processes were still at the early stages.
Olumide said that aircraft was used pending the completion of the processes required for the operation of the airline.
