REPS GIVE AIRLINES ULTIMATUM TO REFUND N4BN COVID-19 FUND
The house of representatives has issued a one-week deadline to all private airline operators in the nation to provide credible documentation on how they utilized the N4 billion COVID-19 intervention funds they received from the federal government or refund the amount to the government’s treasury.
During the resumed investigative hearing on the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds by federal government ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and other beneficiaries, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the lower chamber, led by Bamidele Salam, issued this directive over the weekend.
The committee declared that private airlines that received COVID-19 relief funds meant to support the aviation sector must return the allocated funds to the federal government’s treasury within a week if they cannot substantiate how the funds were spent.
Expressing dissatisfaction, the committee noted the failure of several airlines and industry stakeholders, including Aero Contractors, Azman, Newrest, and representatives from the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, to provide satisfactory explanations regarding the allocation and expenditure of the funds.
Azman Airlines, represented by its marketing manager Odum Chizoba Uju, admitted to receiving N367.9 million for various operational expenses, including aircraft maintenance, spare parts, fueling, Forex purchasing, and insurance premiums.
Similarly, Aero Contractors’ station manager Abdulmalik Musa acknowledged receiving N217.3 million from the federal government as part of the COVID-19 intervention fund.
However, Committee member Hon. Ojuawo Adeniyi from Ekiti state, a former pilot with the Nigeria Air Force, criticized the submissions, arguing that the services claimed by the operators were relevant only during regular airline operations.
Consequently, another committee member, Akiba Bassey, proposed that the airlines should refund the amount to the Federation account if they fail to provide justifiable evidence of expenditure before the Committee. This motion received unanimous support from the members.
From the News Source: Techeconomy
