What Nigerians think about suspension of national carrier

The Minister of State Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika recently disclosed that the Federal Government has suspended the National Carrier, Nigeria Air, procurement indefinitely. Daily Trust sought the opinions of Nigerians on this. Engr. Sonny Bricks, Engineer, Yenagoa I think the most important thing has been done. If debts were being owed to staff in the […]

The Minister of State Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika recently disclosed that the Federal Government has suspended the National Carrier, Nigeria Air, procurement indefinitely. Daily Trust sought the opinions of Nigerians on this.

Engr. Sonny Bricks, Engineer, Yenagoa

I think the most important thing has been done. If debts were being owed to staff in the past, and they try to settle it in order for them to continue with the national carrier, I think they are on the right path. But if they have suspended it until when more funds are released, there is no problem, after all before now, we have been without a national carrier and other private airlines have been functioning. But as we improve, we can still be able to afford a national carrier, especially when other countries that are not up to Nigeria’s standard can afford a it.  We have the manpower and funds to operate it, but bad governance and leadership have always been the problem.

Comrade Idris Usman, Human Rights Activist, Yenagoa

The truth about the whole thing is that the government under Buhari has shown lack of competency in their dealings, because by job description, it is not actually the job of the minister to even operate a national carrier. There is supposed to be truth in the system. The transaction was supposed to be done in a transparent manner. They also need competent people to contribute to the operation of the national carrier, because the suspension is due to the incompetency of the minister and the people he engaged to operate the carrier, including some of the presidential aides.

So, since they have failed, the government should ensure that all the tax payers money invested in the project is recovered. The money must be accounted for and recovered at all cost. The whole transaction is fraudulent and I call on EFCC and other anti graft agencies to wade in.

Bello Abdulfattah, 42, Travel Consultant, Kaduna

The suspension is a blessing in disguise. This is basically because nobody ever foresees the Trump Tariff policy which pushed away other partners and investors in the process. The Federal Government was supposed to create an enabling environment, while the investors and other partners provide necessary funding. One can only imagine what these laudable projects would bring into the economy of Nigeria and project our image around the globe.

It’s just unfortunate. The government could have used it to boost the administration politically and create employment. Who do you blame? The policy of America’s President Trump affected a considerable number of businesses around the world.

Salahudeen A. Lukman, 30, Student, Kaduna

Suspension of national career by the Federal Government does not actually call for worry, rather the indefinable time of resumption of the project is our major concern because the billions of naira invested can’t be allowed to go down the drain. The fact that Federal Government has released money for the retirees of old Nigeria Air is a commendable fit. All we require now is pronouncement of actual date of resumption of the project or complete reversal of the deal with our money returned to the national treasury.

Comrade Tony Ile, Politician, Yenagoa

The issue of national carrier was a classic fraud from the beginning. This government has been very deceptive right from the beginning. Over N1 billion from tax payers money has been wasted on the non-existing national carrier, and that is how they have been wasting our money.

Eunice Nnachi, Journalist, Yenagoa

This national carrier was one of the projects Buhari’s administration would have used as a landmark achievement. It could have also served as a brand for the country’s aviation industry, but unfortunately, the people that handled it were not sincere. Nigerians were deceived into believing that the government has put a national carrier on board. The integrity of Buhari and his government is at stake here.

Now that they have come out to inform Nigerians about the suspension of the national carrier, what happened with the huge public funds invested in it? Has the money also been suspended or embezzled? That is why we call on anti graft agencies to investigate the issue.

If the National carrier were operational, do we even consider how it would have boosted the tourism potential of the country or help in creating employment? How about encouraging young Nigerians to take a career in aviation sector? So the Federal Government should as a matter of necessity restore the national carrier and ensure that Nigeria Air becomes operational again.

Andy Bako, 58, Development Worker, Kaduna

It is unfortunate that as we are about rejoicing that we are picking up, then this glum. Our show of shame as the ‘giant’ of Africa is enough. As the most populous and most endowed nation in Africa, is it not a shame that we have no national carrier, yet we have fleets of presidential jets? If leaders of our nation are not ashamed, let it be known that the citizens are.

Jacqueline Amen Adebija, 40, Broadcast Journalist, Kaduna

It is a sad thing, not because it was suspended, but because just like so many other things we have done in the past, we jump into a decision without research and without thinking thoroughly. Was this even the most important thing that we needed? These are questions people who want to do serious things and who want to leave good legacies ask themselves. Was getting an air carrier our priority as a nation; seeing how our aviation sector is frost with all sorts of difficulties. We have private airlines that are struggling under the policies of the authorities and other bodies. The Nigerian government has a track record of jumping into things without thinking and without carrying out research. Any nation that does not put great store or value research cannot develop.