Uneasiness over whereabouts of N22 billion aviation bailout fund

AIR of disgust and distrust is permeating around the country’s aviation sector in view of the way government officials do things without any iota of respect to those they claim they represent.

This bad attitude is common with the political class particularly those appointed to run various organisations and even ministries. Once they get to their designated offices, they put on the toga of arrogance and thus turn to ‘tin gods’ that believe the people they represent are no longer relevant when critical national decisions are to be taken.

Sadly, this unfortunate position has not just started but the question begging for answer is; why people in positions of power in Nigeria find it difficult to carry those they represent along.

This topic which is for another day however will continue to arouse suspicion and lack of trust between the so called public office holders and ordinary Nigerians on the street.

This very scenario is presently playing out at the aviation sector; a sector mainly dominated by elites with the activities there being run in line with international standards and recommended practices.

In other words, the sector because of the role it provides vis a vis integrating Nigeria to other parts of the world through air transport on one hand, and generating huge funds to the coffers of the government, deserves serious attention from the government as it happens in other climes. Without doubt owing to the critical safety requirements needed to make flight operations safe and secure, the sector should not be short changed in the scheme of things.

Sadly, the sector is being short changed as witnessed in the with-holding of the N22 billion bailout fund the federal government released to cushion the effect of the ravaging pandemic and other logistics on the sector.

About three months ago, the minister of aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika had announced that the government at the center had released a whopping N27 billion as palliative fund to the aviation sector, news received with applause from the different key players.

Already, N5 billion had been released out of the fund as COVID-19 palliatives to the airlines and other auxiliary companies within the sector, the remaining N22 billion is still hanging in the air.

While the disbursement of the N5 billion among airlines has only created enmity among the operators, the whereabouts of the N22 billion the minister announced will be expended on aviation roadmap and national carrier is shrouded in secrecy raising endless questions from the public.

Among the questions on the lips of key players include: why the minister chose to be silent on the money, why with such amount of money on ground, the airports continue to lack critical safety components like airfield lighting, perimeter fences that will stop the continuous incursion of the airports by bandits as it happened at Kaduna and Jos airports, problem of communications between air traffic controllers and pilots, periodic maintenance of navigational aids, other safety logistics on one hand, and the almost inability of the various agencies to pay workers or send them out for training which is critical to aviation.

Rather than let Nigerians particularly those in the sector know how the N22 billion will be judiciously used, the only  explanation the minister thinks he owes Nigerians is how he intends to pursue the national carrier and road map projects, forgetting that without a vibrant and safe environment, these so called projects will be a mere waste of national fund.

Obviously, key players are not happy with the ‘I don’t care’ attitude of the minister towards the N22 billion bailout fund. He cannot continue to take all decisions without asking for the input of those directly involved in the management of the sector.

The minister owes Nigerians and the stakeholders in the sector explanations on the whereabouts of the N22 billion, whether the money has not been released by the ministry of finance or why he has continued to emphasise on the national carrier and roadmap at the detriment of more critical safety issues. Nigerians deserve an explanation about the whereabouts of the N22 billion bailout fund. Answering these questions will only give room for transparency as Nigeria can only float another carrier in safe and secured environment.

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