Managing
Director of the airline, Chris Ndulue, who disclosed this at a press briefing
in Lagos, refuted FAAN’s claim that Arik Air is owing the agency N12.5 billion,
the alleged indebtedness workers in the aviation industry used as an excuse to
shut down the airline’s operation on Wednesday.
He said:
“While I will go beyond my limits to ensure that domestic airlines are
encouraged to grow and promoted to compete favourably with their foreign
counterparts, I will not subvert applicable rules and regulations in favour of
any.” The minister further said that aviation is the only industry that is
internationally regulated and that Nigerian operators must conform to
international best practices, saying that Arik Air and other key players need
to be supported for wider international visibility.
According
to the minister, the issue of alleged indebtedness by Arik Air that has led to
disagreements with some trade unions within the regulatory agencies was highly
regrettable, adding that while government will not condone lawlessness within
the industry, all airline operators must conform to industry rules and
regulations.
At the
briefing where top management team of the airline, including its Chairman, Sir
Joseph Arumemi-Ikhide, was present, Ndulue, who expressed surprise at FAAN’s
claim of indebtedness, showed a letter dated February this year from the agency
to Arik where the regulator acknowledged that the airline had paid N11.4
billion.
Sirika,
while maintaining that the well-being of an airline is measured by its ability
to pay for services rendered to it, said the goal of the present government is
to develop an aviation industry that is founded on the principles of safety and
security of not only the regulators and airline operators, but also passengers
and their luggage, while also putting in place policies that would encourage
the growth of domestic airlines.
Workers in
the aviation industry, under the umbrella of the National Union of Employees
(NUATE) and Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSAN),
had on Wednesday grounded operations at the Lagos headquarters of Arik Air over
a N12.5 billion debt allegedly owed the FAAN.
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