The Minister of Aviation Senator Hadi Sirika has assured foreign airline operators that the ministry would do its best to resolve the issue of blocked funds as soon as possible.
The minister gave the assurance in a statement on Tuesday by the Deputy Director, Press and Public Affairs, Odutayo Oluseyi.
Sirika who met with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and Foreign airlines operators to discuss the salient issues affecting the organizations and the country, said Nigeria is committed to the Bilateral Air Service Agreement.
He stated further that the issue of blocked funds sits with the Central Bank of Nigeria and it is not what the ministry can handle alone else it would have been resolved immediately.
He urged the International Airline Operators to be very considerate when dealing with the issue bearing in mind the effects of Covid 19 and recession the country had experienced.
Speaking earlier, Dr Samson Fatokun, area Manager West and Central Africa who led the delegation expressed gratitude to the honourable Minister for his continuous support for the growth of air transport in Nigeria and for the actualization of his role as catalyst for the growth of the Nigerian economy.
He said the global airline community would like to appeal to the Honourable Minister for special intervention in resolving of airline blocked funds issues in Nigeria.
He said the airlines are facing the collateral damage and the average Nigeria is bearing the brunt of this issue.
President National Association of Nigerian travel Agencies (NANTA) Susan Akporiaye, added that “Is a very difficult time for us as some of us are already giving up on the industry and going into other business.
“It is our loss and also the loss of the country as we don’t sell more ticket like we use to, and this will further increase the unemployment situation if this issue is not attended to.’’
