RE: SENATE COMMITTEE ON AVIATION TOUR OF AGENCIES: ''The Good, The Bad & the Ugly''

NOV 26 Comment from Olu Ohunayo The former Director Of Airworthiness Standard was mumbling incoherent standard procedure on national television the last time the committee called them and the General Manager that was called to assist did not really impress, now it’s the Director of Finance who would have approved some funds for the Performance Based Navigation (PBN) programme without understanding the meaning. It’s a nauseating fact in the industry that foreign courses offered as developmental and educational programme are often-time seen as a business trip to heap forex and prepare for little buying and selling on the sideline. No wonder there is a roaster and a bitter squabble to get and remain on courses with longer days even when it’s not too relevant to their area of specialization. On another note, the committee in their report also found a director in the Ministry culpable for the bungled Lufthansa MOU agreement. Its real shame for professionals in the industry, something must be wrong somewhere and we must be ready to correct them even if we have to go fishing for new egg heads. The word cancellation being brandished by the Ministry for a four year deal signed in 2008 and cancelled in 2012 after running its full circle is simply ludicrous. I will rather align with the Senate Committee report asking Lufthansa to refund $14.8 million. The same report ended with a top official saying it is wrong to collect royalties using Ghana as referral; the official should be reminded that Ghana has only one point of entry and much lower frequencies and gauge. The problem is our management of the royalties. Is re-modeling viable and un-viable airports a critical safety issue when they are quickly inaugurated with dysfunctional equipment? Should we continue to encourage royalties or endeavour to participate? May be, before we appoint the next Minister ,we should confirm if they are frequent flyers on any of the foreign airlines. The Lufthansa deal was done when Engineer Omotoba was heading the Ministry. He was at the time on Lufthansa ‘frequent miles’ programme while Mrs. Chikwe showed same bias for Virgin Atlantic. Senator Uzodinma’s interview has opened a cankerworm that has been hunting the industry and the government should take a critical look at it, if it is eventually submitted by the hallowed chamber. The Senate should go further by reducing the 14.2 billion naira travel budget of MDA’s as presented in the 2013 budget. It should be reduced by 50% while a certain percentage of the travel should be on Nigerian carriers. This will aid reduction in fares, increase employment and liquidity within. On the recent visit of British Airways CEO to the Vice President, I say beware of ‘Greek gift’ coated in sweet messages. It’s another re-modeled Lufthansa MOU. The aim is to increase frequencies and offering nasty slots outside Heathrow. If we must increase frequency let it be for 5th, 6th and 7th freedom not for the British carriers while also strengthening our carriers to compete. Virgin came to Nigeria promising fall in air fares on the LHR-LOS route, today they virtually compete with BA in milking us dry. The foreign carriers are owned by individuals but strongly supported by their respective government. The prime motive of operating into Nigeria with large aircraft, increased frequencies and entry points is profit, profit and profit. They are not aid agencies. Whatever will be offered will be placed in profitability either in the short or long term. They only develop facilities that will ease their operations not our aviation. If they really want to help, they should partner with our carriers commercially or by investment. Better still set up a feeder airline in partnership with Nigerian investors. Government shine your eye !