The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has addressed and laid out solutions to the issues of Jet A1 and Forex scarcity – two of the major causes of delays and cancellations of flights by Nigerian airlines in recent times. Sirika made his remarks recently in his address to President Muhammadu Buhari during the official commissioning of the new terminal building of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.
After acknowledging the negative consequences engendered by the scarcity of Jet A1 and Forex, Sirika requested that the President direct the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to step in and ensure supply:
“Mr. President is aware of the recent chaos in the sector caused by lack of Jet A1. Flights are unduly delayed and/or cancelled unpleasantly. While apologizing to our teaming passengers, I wish to use this medium to humbly request Mr. President to direct NNPC to import Jet A1 in good quantities and device means to sustain supply as well as direct CBN to allocate Forex for the major marketers to sustain supply”, Sirika said.
The Minister also requested the support of the CBN through prioritizing access to Forex for both local and foreign carriers alike – a move which according to Sirika will allow the repatriation of the $283 million blocked foreign airlines’ funds currently held by Nigeria – and will also prevent subsequent build up.
Data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) reveals that the aviation sector alone contributes a wooping N341bn to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); has created 160,000 local jobs, and stands to gain N535bn from visitors if only the sector is fully restored and connectivity maintained.
Understandably, these figures fuel Sirika’s apprehension about the prognosis of the entire affair if aviation business in Nigeria regresses as a direct consequence of Jet A1 scarcity and inadequate access to Forex – all of which inform the solutions the Minister laid out in view of making the sector buoyant and sustainable in the long run.
