… assures of govt’s commitment to BASA 

The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has promised to proffer solution to the challenge of prolonged foreign airlines blocked funds.

He also assured of the federal government’s commitment to Bi-lateral Air Services Agreement (BASA).

The Minister who recently met with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and foreign airlines operators to discuss the salient issues affecting the organisations and the country stated Nigeria’s commitment to the BASA.

He assured them that the Aviation Ministry is concerned, and will do its very best to resolve the matter of blocked funds as soon as possible. 

Sirika stated further that  the issue of blocked funds sits with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and that it is not what the ministry can handle alone else it would have been resolved immediately. 

He urged the International Airline Operators to be very considerate when dealing with the issue bearing in mind the effects of COVID 19 and recession the country had experienced.

Speaking earlier, the Area Manager West and Central Africa, Doctor Samson Fatokun, who led the delegation expressed gratitude to the Minister for his continuous support for the growth of air transport in Nigeria and for the actualisation of his role as catalyst for the growth of the Nigerian economy. 

He said the global airline community would like to appeal to the Minister for special intervention in resolving of airline blocked funds issues in Nigeria. 

Fatokun said the airlines are facing the collateral damage and the average Nigeria is bearing the brunt of this issue.

President of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA),Susan Akporiaye added that  “it is a very difficult time for us as some of us are already giving up on the industry and going into other business. 

“It is our loss and also the loss of the country as we don’t sell more tickets like we used to, and this will further increase the unemployment situation if this issue is not attended to.”

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