…By Lola Smith for TDPel Media.
In a recent interview on Arise News, Allen Onyema, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, expressed his concerns and called on President Bola Tinubu to dissolve the national carrier, Nigeria Air.
According to Onyema, the unveiling of Nigeria Air is nothing but a charade that fails to address the country’s pressing needs.
Court Orders Not Vacated:
Onyema emphasized that the court orders that halted the unveiling of the national carrier were never vacated.
He dismissed any word-of-mouth vacation of these orders, asserting that they hold legal weight and cannot be overlooked.
Former Aviation Minister’s Falsehood:
Onyema accused the former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, of spreading falsehoods about Air Peace.
He argued that Sirika’s intent was to demean local operators and indigenous Nigerian airlines in favor of Nigeria Air.
Onyema questioned the credibility of Sirika’s statements, suggesting that if the former minister was dishonest about Air Peace, it raises doubts about his other claims as well.
Ethiopian Partnership and Shareholding Pattern:
The Air Peace CEO criticized the shareholding pattern of Nigeria Air, highlighting that Ethiopian companies hold 49 percent of the shares without contributing any financial resources to the company.
Onyema revealed that only Nigerian companies, specifically SACHO and MRS, would invest in Nigeria Air.
He pointed out that Ethiopia would only pay rentals for their planes for five years, without making any monetary contribution to the Nigerian economy.
Onyema also stressed that Air Peace, with its significant value of over two billion dollars, is worth far more than the rental payments from Ethiopia.
Conclusion:
In summary, Allen Onyema, the Chairman and CEO of Air Peace, called for the dissolution of Nigeria Air, denouncing it as a charade that undermines local operators.
He questioned the validity of the former Aviation Minister’s statements, criticized the shareholding pattern, and highlighted the lack of financial contribution from the Ethiopian partners.
Onyema’s concerns raise important questions about the suitability and viability of Nigeria Air in its current form.
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