Senate panel chair flags corruption in aviation sector

The Punch Newspaper reports on a scathing indictment of Nigeria's aviation sector by Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Aviation. His assertion that the industry is "very dirty" and plagued by undisclosed irregularities, based on his 16 years of legislative oversight, paints a grim picture of a sector in dire need of reform.

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A lot of the things I have seen can’t be said in public; it’s dirty, it is very dirty.

Senator Buhari's critique extends to the exploitative practices of certain international airlines, which he named as Emirates, United Airlines, and Delta. His accusation that these carriers charge ticket prices exclusively in dollars, thereby inflating costs for Nigerian passengers, highlights a significant issue of foreign exchange disparity impacting air travel affordability. He called for reciprocal measures, urging these airlines to also accept naira if other airlines operate in Nigeria.

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Look at some of the airlines, even though some of you won’t mention names, I’m a legislator, and I will mention names. Look at Emirates, United Airlines, Delta, and I think one more, they charge in dollars to exploit Nigerians. NANTA should write to the National Assembly to say, if other airlines are charging in Nigeria, the mentioned ones too should charge in naira,”

This strong stance from a key legislator underscores the deep-seated problems within the aviation industry, which extend beyond mere operational inefficiencies. The senator's call for collaboration among stakeholders to prioritize national interest and tackle systemic challenges is a crucial step towards sanitizing the sector.

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This is the reason ticket prices are shooting up, but you never write because you, too, are making your percentage.”

While the International Air Transport Association Area Manager for West and Central Africa, Samson Fatoki, appealed for a more supportive regulatory environment, Senator Buhari's remarks reveal a more fundamental issue of corruption and exploitation. The Punch, by highlighting these statements, brings to the forefront the urgent need for transparency and accountability in Nigeria's aviation landscape, reflecting a national concern for fair practices and economic justice within the industry.

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Let’s try as much as possible to help this country. We in the aviation industry, let’s help this country, and the only way is to collaborate and get ready,”