August 31, (THEWILL) – The Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) has denied the allegations, claiming that its members are defrauding or defrauded government agencies of N19 billion.
The operators, in an official statement, issued Wednesday, signed by the Vice President of the group, Barr Allen Onyema, stated that “Airline Operations worldwide, is not a cash and carry business. Every airline in the world owes debts, which are settled as their operations go on. Nigeria is not an exception.”
Onyema stressed that “our attention has been drawn to news making the rounds that the DG NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, accused airlines of defrauding government aviation agencies like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), of over N19 billion, while converting same to personal use.”
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AON VP, who is also Chairman of Air Peace Airline, disclosed that the operators have very strong reservations for such accusations.
“It is true that some of our members have very bad debts, but not all our members owe such debts. The owing of debts in itself does not amount to fraud. We frown very strongly at the criminalisation of all Nigerian airlines as a result of the said debts”, Onyema added.
The operator recalled that various parties were present at a stakeholders’ meeting and the DG, NCAA, did not at any time use such words to describe Nigerian airlines. Rather, the meeting, AON pointed out ended on an amicable note with everyone agreeing to work together to address the debts.
Onyema further explained that these debts are owed by some airlines that are no longer in existence, advising that members with such bad debts to engage the agencies and put forward repayment plans.
The airline operators also noted that airlines in Nigeria are operating under very harsh environment and need all the support from everyone.
