By Emmanuel Nduka
The Nigerian Government has raised concerns over a N37 billion debt owed by airlines operators in the country.
Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika raised the alarm on Thursday at a media briefing, disclosing that the airlines are indebted to agencies like Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, FAAN.
The debt he said, has accumulated for over 13 years and thus contributes to the poor management of Nigeria’s civil aviation sector.
According to Sirika, the federal government will, in line with current reforms, double down on such debtors like the Bi-Courtney which owes N13billion.
The minister added that the government is in the process of intensifying plans towards the concessioning of international airports in the country by the early second quarter of 2022, stating that labour has been duly consulted.
Sirika also stated that a total of 67 accidents have occurred in the last five years, of which 48 have been reported under the present administration to drive transparency in the system.
