Reps summon permanent secretary over controversial Nigeria Air launch

Reps summon permanent secretary over controversial Nigeria Air launch

The House of Representatives on Thursday resolved to probe the hurriedly launched national carrier, Nigeria Air, two days to the end of the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The House through its Committee on Aviation summoned the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, to an emergency meeting over the controversial Nigeria Air project.

The House also requested documents relating to agreements signed with the Ethiopian Airlines, the major shareholder, full disclosure of the ownership structure of the new airline including equity contributions by individuals, organisations and the consortium outlining each contribution, names, addresses, phone numbers and their businesses’ registration certificates.

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Chairman, House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, will head the emergency meeting.

According to an invitation signed by the Committee Clerk, Bassey 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.

Part of the invitation read, “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 a committee of the parliament saddled with the responsibility of over-sighting 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.”
However, the Permanent Secretary was said to have requested time to be able to assemble all the necessary documents and individuals connected with the project.

Tuesday 7th June has been rescheduled for the meeting based on the appeals for time by the Ministry.

Reps summon permanent secretary over controversial Nigeria Air launch