The House of Representatives Committee on Aviation has summoned the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr Emmanuel Meribole, to an emergency meeting over the controversial unveiling of Nigeria Air with an Ethiopian Airline aircraft.
The committee, led by Honourable Nnolim Nnaji, directed Meribole to bring all documents and personnel associated with the national carrier.
The Federal Government launched Nigeria Air to Nigeria last Friday, causing widespread consternation.
According to reports, Ethiopian Airlines repainted and rebranded one of its Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which cost Nigeria N139.3 billion ($300 million) just for the painting.
However, according to an invitation memo signed by the committee clerk, Bassy Edem, dated May 30, 2023, and referencing NASS/9/HR17/120, “last Friday, May 26th, 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 parliament charged with overseeing the aviation sector of the economy, we believe it is necessary to be fully briefed on the project.
Consequently l am directed to invite you to an emergency session with the committee on Thursday, 1st of June 2023. You are to come with all individuals/agencies connected to the project.
However, the Permanent Secretary was said to have asked for more time in order to gather all of the necessary documents and individuals associated with the project.
The meeting has been rescheduled for Tuesday, June 7th, in response to the ministry’s requests for more time.
Details of the documents demanded in the invitation include the followings:
i. Full business case (FBC,) as prepared by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, (ICRC),
ii. 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.
iii. All Private, Public Partnership, (PPP) agreements reached and signed with Ethiopian Airlines on the project.
iv. All Private Public Partnership agreements reached and signed with other parties with stakes in Nigeria Air
V. All documents, permits, and receipts relevant to the subject matter.
vi. Shareholders agreements
Vii Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, (ICRC) agreement and
Viii. Any other documents that will assist the committee in this assignment.