Re Rumours of Sacrifice, Agagu, Oduah & Fani-Kayode

E: We all owe it a duty to protect the industry and restore confidence in the travelling public. The slings and stones being thrown at each other at this time will only heat the polity and divert attention from the safety challenges that we need to address as quickly as possible. Chief Fani-Kayode's write up has triggered a lot of rejoinders and a verbal reply at an international conferences, of the lot I will pick that of Mr. Joel Obi, though I do not agree with some choice of words but align with the chronicle of activities in the industry, when the chief headed the ministry. Mr. Obi's article omitted the dubious re-capitalisation process that made the Corporate Affairs Commission smile to the bank while the airlines simply filled forms and arranged documents in connivance with their banks, ministry and the hatchet man who was an operator, spilt look alike and a good friend of the chief. I am compelled to add this information because the chief did not do anything for industry rather, he was brash and tried as much as possible to intimidate operators, stakeholders and foreign airlines in a spirited bid to corner largess for self and tag team partners. Mr. Obi, the issues raised by you are the perennial banana peel waiting for all occupiers of that office, the most recurring ones are nepotic / ethnic recruitment or displacement, interference in the agencies, culture of impunity and poor enforcement. These issues either bring them down or haunt them long after, so please keep it in mind. To the whistle blowers that wait for a crash before blowing the whistle, they should bow their heads in shame; such whistles are destructive and usually targeted at bringing down personalities rather than saving lives, improving the system and its processes. It happened after the Dana crash and its happening again with the usual panicky suspension of operational certificate, rash public hearing and removal of office holders. Thereafter we go back to statuesque. My humble suggestion is a reassessment of the non punitive reporting system in place that has made reporting difficult but easier after a crash and usually given to legislative arm with the intention of ridiculing the industry. Also, the agencies and ministry should, please let us hear from AIB only at this hour, its not a time to flag our ratings or certifications neither are we interested in achievements and garlands gathered. We are suppose to be mourning our clients whose remains are still in the morgue awaiting identification and burial. The AIB, should upgrade from its timidity and boldly address and update us regularly not by press releases but facing the camera and taking questions. It’s important, it shows they are in control and autonomous. The disconnect between the economic and safety regulatory units presently domiciled in the NCAA must be addressed, Associated Airline will fail an economic audit just like others still brandishing the AOC. Finally, we must at this point agree that our carriers are weak and start a regulatory consolidation process. It is a better option to have five airlines that are sick than twenty six with epidemic.