The Former minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has revealed that a lawmaker requested a 5% stake in the proposed Nigeria Air project.
Addressing the controversies surrounding the unveiling of Nigeria Air, the proposed national carrier, just 48 hours before his departure from office, he disclosed that the purported Nigeria Air was, in fact, a leased aircraft from Ethiopian Airline that had been repainted and rebranded with Nigerian colors.
This revelation has negatively impacted the country’s reputation globally. Sirika has now come forward to shed light on the role played by influential individuals in frustrating the well-intentioned efforts of former President Muhammadu Buhari towards the project.
According to Sirika, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, had requested a 5% share in the airline for himself and his associates. However, Sirika rejected the request and directed Nnaji to approach the relevant stakeholders.
During an interview on AriseTV, Sirika addressed Nnaji’s accusation of the Nigeria Air launch being a fraud, stating that he had informed Nnaji privately about the bidding process and the need to approach the rightful winners for any requests related to ownership.
Sirika highlighted that Nnaji specifically requested the 5% share for himself and his people, which could include his family, members, or leadership. Sirika advised Nnaji to approach the airline’s owners directly and emphasized the importance of fairness in the matter. Additionally, Sirika criticized Nnaji and the aviation committee for conducting a predetermined hearing, questioning the fairness and impartiality of their actions.
It is worth noting that Sirika has a background in the House of Representatives, having served as a member for 20 years, further adding to his insights on the matter.
