Reps probe Nigeria Air launch, summon Perm Sec, Aviation Ministry

The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation headed by Honourable Nnolim Nnaji has summoned the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, to an emergency meeting over the Nigeria Air project.

The emergency meeting, according to an 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 project.

The invitation read 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 the responsibility of oversighting 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 to the project. Therefore, Tuesday, 7th June has been rescheduled for the meeting based on the appeal for time by the Ministry.

Details of the documents demanded in the invitation include the followings: Full business case (FBC) as prepared by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC); Full disclosure on the ownership structure of Nigeria Air, including equity contributions by individuals, organisations and Consortium outlining each contribution, names, addresses, phone numbers and their businesses’ registration certificates; All Private, Public Partnership (PPP) agreements reached and signed with Ethiopian Airlines on the project and All Private Public Partnership agreements reached and signed with other parties with stakes in Nigeria Air

Others are: All documents, permits and receipts relevant to the subject matter; Shareholders’ agreements; Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) agreements and any other documents that will assist the Committee in this assignment”.