Reps summon Aviation Perm Sec over Nigeria Air

By Seun Ibiyemi The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has summoned the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, to an emergency meeting over the Nigeria Air project which has generated a lot of controversy since the Static display of an Ethiopian Airline in Abuja for an alleged launch. However, the Permanent Secretary is said to have requested time to be able to Assemble all the necessary documents and individuals connected with the project. According to the invitation for the meeting signed by the committee clerk Bassy E. Edem dated May 30 2023 and referenced NASS/9/HR17/120, the Permanent Secretary was directed to come with every document and personnel connected with the National Carrier. Documents demanded in the invitation include the following: i. Full Business Case (FBC,) as prepared by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC). ii.Full disclosure on the ownership structure of Nigeria Air including equity contributions by individuals, organisations and Consortium outlining each contributions, names, addresses, phone numbers and their businesses’ registration certificates. Other documents include: All Private, Public Partnership, (PPP) agreements reached and signed with Ethiopian Airlines on the project.

1. All Private Public partnership agreements reached and signed with other parties with stakes in Nigeria Air.
2. All documents, permits and receipts relevant to the subject matter, vi. Shareholders’ agreements.

Vii. Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, (ICRC) agreement and, Viii. Any other documents that will assist the committee in this assignment. The invitation reads in part, “Last Friday, the 26th of May, 2023, the nation was awash with viral reports and videos of the unveiling of the Nigeria Air project under very controversial circumstances, as committee of the parliament saddled with responsibility of oversight on the aviation sector of the economy we deem it necessary to be fully briefed about the project. “Consequently l am directed to invite you to an emergency session with the committee on Thursday, first of June 2023. You are to come with all individuals/agencies connected to the project.” Meanwhile Tuesday 7th June has been rescheduled for the meeting based on the appeals for time by the Ministry.