Controversy trails N22b aviation palliative

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo

Aviation stakeholders are worried about the alleged disappearance of N22 billion palliative meant for the sector in the country to cushion the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic

It was gathered that only N5billiuon out of the N27billionn palliative to the aviation industry was disbursed to a few airlines as some airlines have cried out over non-payment of the palliative

Investigation revealed that Aero Contractors, West Link, TAL Helicopters, and a few others are yet to receive their share of the initial N5billion

The minister of aviation Hadi Sirika claimed the remaining N22billion would be expended on the aviation roadmap and the national carrier.

Stakeholders have queried the sort of roadmap and why the investment on the failed national carrier project which gulped millions of naira in the United Kingdom a few years ago.

Some stakeholders who spoke on the issues expressed disappointment with the manner of disbursement.

Speaking on the inability of stakeholders to access the part of N5billion palliative, Chief Executive of West Link airlines, Capt. Ibrahim Mshelia told The Daily Times that the whole thing remained a mirage. “I don’t know what is going on. I have not received it. Some people have received.”

On whether he has made any attempt to receive his largesse, Capt Mshelia responded thus, “What is the attempt? My office submitted the necessary documents.

I am a member of AON. There is no leadership of AON as far as I am concerned because we are already in court. The minister and all the relevant people were served. 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 to the committee, which was received”

On the entire N27bn released by the government, Capt Mshelia said he was not aware of the money disbursed so far as everything was surrounded by secrecy.

“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 the government has given us money and I heard some people have not received it. I know other colleagues who have not equally”

“It is It 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. 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”

Also corroborating with Mshelia, Engr. Femi Adeniji, of Tropical Arctic Logistics (TAL) Helicopter Company, declared

“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.

Even up to last Friday, I still called them to find out what is going on. Unfortunately, I was in the US when my company’s name was published as among those who will receive the palliative, but we have not gotten anything up until now”.

He said salaries of workers were being owed while staff were complaining of hardship

“I understand they got N25bn from the government and they are giving us N5bn. Even at that, why give some airlines and not give others.”

But for Capt. John Ojikutu former military commandant airport, there are critical issues in the aviation sector that needs to be addressed, citing airport invasion, installation of runway 18L lightings among others saying that these areas needed palliatives.

We have been talking of MMA Runway 18L lightings, so are the lightings of the runways of most airports, yet we are claiming satisfaction in the NCAA certification for them”.

“There are security issues around most airports perimeter fences that we have not been able to enhance their security in the event of any incursions or invasion especially now that bandits are said to be everywhere.”

For Comrade Olayinka Abioye, the immediate past general secretary of the National Union of Air Transport Employees said he was not sure if the money has been released to the Ministry of Aviation as the Ministry was struggling to get it from the finance ministry.

The drama continues as all stakeholders are watching the development of the palliatives.

But in a telephone conversation with the director of press, Federal Ministry of Aviation, Dr. James Odaudu, said he was not sure who has not been paid but revealed that the challenge of the non-release of the palliative was not from the Ministry of Aviation.