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From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
House of Representatives has said it would investigate the controversy surrounding the launch of the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air, by the immediate past administration.
The chairman of the House Committee on Aviation Technology, Abiodun Akinlade, stated this on Thursday, while speaking at the inaugural meeting of the committee.
Akinlade, who expressed worry at recent air incidents in the country, said the committee would collaborate with the Airline Operators of Nigeria( AON) and regulatory authorities to hold a town hall meeting on safety issues in the sector.
According to him, “As we all know, this committee is newly created carved out of the existing committee on Aviation. It is a high tech driven committee with so much expectations from us. We dare not fail the House, Nigerians and other stakeholders.
“We will engage and synergise with the stakeholders to give Nigerians the democratic dividend of a highly innovation and productive aviation industry.”
Akinlade added: “We will with the support the Airline operators of Nigeria(AON), the regulatory authorities organise an high-tech stakeholders Town Hall meeting to look into the causes of the air crashes and other safety breaches at our airports. Our airspace must be safe for all.
“The Committee of Aviation and Aerospace Technology in conjunction with the House Committee on Aviation and Aerospace will look into the controversy surrounding the launch of Nigeria Air Project and inform Nigerians accordingly.”
Furthermore, the lawmaker, while stating that the committee was committed to a thorough scrutiny of the budgets of all Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), under its preview, cautioned that there would sanctions for anyone that fails to appear before lawmakers.
“This is budget period, as the committee will approach the process with all sense of responsibility. We shall cross all the Ts and dot all the Is. We hereby call for the cooperation of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace evelopment and other MDAs under our supervision -we shall not hesitate to sanction anyone that fails to attend the budget defense to give account on their stewardship.”
