CODE submits FOI request to aviation ministry, demands accountability on Nigeria Air

Connected Development (CODE), a social accountability organisation, has submitted a freedom of information (FOI) request to the federal ministry of aviation, demanding information on Nigeria Air.

In a letter addressed to the permanent secretary of the ministry and signed by Hamzat Lawal, the chief executive of CODE, the organisation demanded specific details on the utilisation of the N85 billion allocated for establishing the national carrier.

Additional requests by the organisation include a breakdown of how the allocated funds were utilised, including a detailed account of the expenditures and activities undertaken as part of the establishment of Nigerian Air.

CODE also asked the ministry to provide procurement information in securing partnerships for the establishment of Nigeria Air, including the names of partners, the negotiation process employed, and any relevant associated documentation.

“The request is in line with section 2 (4) of the freedom of information act, 2011, which requires all information relating to the receipt of expenditure of public or other funds of the institution to be ”widely” disseminated and made readily available,” CODE added.

”We await and will appreciate the receipt of all information requested not later than 7 days of application in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act of 2011.”

THE NIGERIA AIR CONTROVERSY

Hadi Sirika, former minister of aviation, unveiled Nigeria Air — the national carrier — about three days before the end of the former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

However, Dapo Olumide, CEO of Nigeria Air, said the aircraft used for the unveiling of the national carrier was a chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines.

Olumide spoke during an investigative hearing with Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) and representatives of the ministry of aviation.

He also said the necessary procedures for the establishment of a national carrier were not completed before the unveiling.

Emmanuel Meribole, permanent secretary of ministry of aviation, added that there was no money spent on the unveiling of Nigeria Air.

Meribole said from 2017 to date, not up to N3.8 billion has been spent on the national carrier project.

However, Rowland Iyayi, a member of the AON, alleged that the Nigeria Air project has gulped about N85.4 billion.

The house of representatives committee on aviation faulted the process leading to the unveiling of the aircraft and called the whole operation a fraud.

A resolution was also passed asking the federal government to suspend the operations of the national carrier.