Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika had disclosed that Nigerian airlines owe various federal agencies, including the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) money to the tune of N37 billion.
He made this known at the weekly ministerial press briefing organised by the presidential communication team at the presidential villa, Abuja.
The minister said while Arik owes about N13 or N14 billion, Bi-Courtney owes FAAN about N14 billion and since it began operations 13 years ago, the company has not remitted a single dime to the agency as stipulated in the agreement.
He clarified that airlines that owe aviation parastatals did not benefit from the N5 billion COVID-19 palliative disbursed to aviation stakeholders.
Sirika said the government had been cautious in demanding for the payment, mindful of how the media and Nigerian public might react but vowed that the government would go after the airlines to make sure that they pay what they owe.
“In fact, the service providers in our system, FAAN, NAMA, said these guys are owing us, we should take the money from the money being given as palliatives. We said no, that the intent of President Buhari is to ensure that he cushions the effect on businesses. Let us find a way of surviving, and let them take the money. So we would have taken the money and left them with nothing and we would have stayed with nothing.
“So, this brings to the question on the money owed the parastatals. It is about N37 billion that they are owing, especially, Arik, the culprit. I know they owe us about N13, N14 billion.
“If you’re owing the government, you are owing FAAN, the Bi-Courtney is owing about N14 billion as at the last count. It has not paid a single dime since the time he started to run the terminal building. And we have not ceased giving him electricity, water, fire cover, and so on and so forth. He hasn’t paid a dime for 13 years.
“And if we go to shut his doors, the media, of course, and Nigerian people will say we’re killing businesses but he is killing our services too, because we have to have that money to provide for that toilet that you’re looking for in Lagos airport. Most of these are living by their IGRs and so, we need the money but we will go after the money.”
