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    Kapital FM 92.9 The Station that Rocks!

National

House Seeks Explanation On N1b Covid Funds By Private Airlines

todayMarch 3, 2024

Background

House of Representatives has issued a one-week ultimatum to private airline operators in Nigeria to provide evidence on utilization of N4b COVID-19 intervention funds allocated to them by the Federal Government.

The Chairman Public Accounts Committee, PAC, Bamidele Salam gave the directive during an investigative hearing on the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds by various Ministries, Departments, Agencies, MDAs.

The Committee emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in the use of public funds and expressed disappointment over the lack of satisfactory explanations provided by stakeholders, including Aero Contractors, Azman, and Newrest, as well as representatives from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development.

On its part, Azman Airlines, Representive, Odum Chizoba Uju disclosed receiving N367,935,779.95, which it claimed was used for operational expenses such as aircraft maintenance, spare parts, fueling, Forex purchasing, and insurance premiums.

Representive of Aero Contractors, Abdulmalik Musa said the company received N217,345,542.05 for airport handling, facility payment, fueling, onboard catering, pilot training, and lease rental.

However, a member of the committee and Former Nigeria Airforce pilot Ojuawo Adeniyi, contested these explanations, stating that the services mentioned were typical during regular airline operations.

In response, Mr Akiba Bassey moved a motion, supported by members, that the funds should be refunded to the Federal Government if justifiable evidence of expenditure is not provided within the stipulated timeframe.

Oduyemi Odumade, Edited By Grace Namiji

Written by: Editorial Team

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