Melaye: Calamity about to befall Nigerian aviation

Dino Melaye, a senator from Kogi west, has asked the senate to intervene in the aviation sector, because “calamity” is looming in there.

Emirates airlines and Kenya airways are about suspending their flights to Abuja‎, citing economic problems.

Speaking on the floor of the upper legislative chamber on Wednesday, Melaye lamented the state of local airlines, and he urged the senate to be on the negotiating table with them to ensure that air fares are not hiked when the federal government eventually offers them a bailout.

“Mr President, I rise this morning to quote order 42, which is matter of urgent public‎ importance,” he said.

“I call the attention of the Nigerian senate to the calamitous situation that is about to befall us. As I speak, some airlines like Turkish, Kenya, Emirates are suspending some of their flights in Nigeria.

“In fact, some airlines have made Ghana their take off base.

“Government has suggested it may give a bailout to some local airlines. I ask that before this policy is implemented government must sit with these airlines to ensure that there is no increase in fares.‎ So, that Nigerians will not have to pay more.”

Melaye’s statement is coming after Yusuf Lasun, deputy‎ speaker of the house of representatives,  declared that no Nigerian airline was safe.

Lasun said he preferred travelling long hours on the road to flying on a local airline.