Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has met with the representatives of International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the foreign airlines Tuesday, 14th March, 2024, pledging commitment to the Bilateral Air Service Agreements (BASA) existing between Nigeria and the home countries of the foreign carriers.
The meeting took place between the parties to discuss the salient issues affecting the organizations and the Nigeria.
While emphasizing Nigeria’s commitment to the BASA Agreements, the minister assured them that the aviation Ministry is concerned, and will do her very best to resolve the matter of blocked funds as soon as possible.
He stated further that “the issue of blocked funds sits with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and 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, Dr Samson Fatokun, area Manager for West and Central Africa who led the IATA delegation, expressed gratitude to the Minister for his continuous support for the growth of air transport in Nigeria and for the actualization of his role as catalyst for the growth of the Nigerian economy.
He however, declared: “the global airline community would like to appeal to the Minister for special intervention in resolving of airline blocked funds issues in Nigeria.” He said the airlines are facing the collateral damage and the average Nigerian is bearing the brunt of this issue.
In her remark,
Susan Akporiaye, President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), equally stated: “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’’
