Boko Haram: We under siege again – Chibok LG Chairman

The Caretaker Chairman of Chibok Local Government Area of Borno state, Mr. Yaga Yarkawa, has raised alarm over renewed attacks perpetrated by Boko haram terrorists.

He said the sect attacked Thlaimaklama village over the weekend and that hundreds of people have been displaced.

Yarkawa said Boko Haram burned down houses, looted foodstuff and livestock, warning that Chibok is again under Boko Haram siege.

Yaga Yarkawa spoke to our Correspondent Monday night in Maiduguri where he had gone to receive food items donated by the State Government for onward delivery to the displaced people.

He said, contrary to claims by the military that Chibok is safe, there have been series of renewed attacks in communities including Kuburmbula, Tsilari, Kamdzilari, Kuburnvwu , Kautikari, Kwada, Buftari and Kakulmari villages bordering Damboa and Sambia forest.

He recalled that the latest attack on Thlaimaklama village saw Boko Haram cart away food items loaded in about 15 vehicles after setting ablaze three vehicles and several houses without confrontation.

The chairman pointed out that apart from recent attacks on the communities, the terrorists have resorted to burning of farm produce of his people, who were eagerly waiting for harvest.

Also speaking on the renewed attacks, leader of vigilantee group in Chibok, Commander Aboku said that “the boko haram terrorists are always on the move and this makes it difficult to effectively monitor and apprehend them with ease”.

He stressed that, just last week in the course of their operations, the vigilantes were able to dislodge some of the terrorists, killing two with recovery of two AK47 rifles and a Hilux vehicles mounted with anti aircraft gun.

Aboku called on the Military to intensify efforts by giving the vigilantes free hands to operate, as they know the terrain of the Sambisa forest and the general operation area of Sambisa, Chibok and Gwoza local governments better.

SOURCE: Dailypostng

Boko Haram 'has no problem' moving to central Nigeria as offensive strangles northern stronghold

Offensive has scored Some successes, but intelligence warns insurgents fleeing to Taraba state.

The Boko Haram terror group has waged a seven-year-long insurgency in north-eastern Nigeria, killing thousands of people. The conflict, which first erupted in 2009, has also spilled over into neighbouring countries, sparking a grave humanitarian crisis in the Lake Chad basin region, where 2.6 million people are currently displaced.

In addition to its own military operation Lafiya Dole against the insurgents, Nigeria is now leading a regional offensive – consisting of 8,700 troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Benin – to tackle Boko Haram.

The offensive has scored some successes, such as the recapture of key territories and the release of thousands of civilians held captive by the group.

The Nigerian security forces are also succeeding in foiling most of the attacks planned by Boko Haram, renowned for kidnapping civilians and forcing them to carry out suicide-bombing missions.

However, an unwanted consequence of the military offensive in Nigeria's north-east is the possible relocation of the militants to other states in the country.

Earlier this week, Shehu Saulawa, Taraba state director for Nigeria's state security service said the terrorists were fleeing into the central-eastern state, seeking a shelter from the military offensive. Saulawa added security operatives had trapped and arrested some of the terrorists.

Root causes of terrorism

Although Nigeria's President Muhammadu Buhari declared a technical victory over the fight against the insurgents in December 2105, Boko Haram still carries out attacks, with security experts warning that underlying issues such as disenfranchisement, poverty and strong links with Islamic State (Isis) would continue to pose major threats to stability in the region.

David Otto, counterterrorism expert at UK-based TGS Intelligence Consultants, believes "a soft dialogue strategy" is necessary to end the crisis.

"Boko Haram will have no problems penetrating the central-south, although it could be more difficult to find a complex hiding place like in the Sambisa Forest," he said, referring to Boko Haram's last known stronghold.

"On one hand, the military offensive shows a mounting pressure from the government and security services, and on the other hand it spreads the movement beyond the confined zone of north-east, making it more difficult to deal with the group strategically.

"The window of opportunity and dialogue that led to the release of the 21 Chibok girls should be extended to include a dialogue for disengagement," Otto, who is also a senior adviser for Global Risk International, continued. "The security system in place is insufficient to stop a spill-over to the central. These groups know the terrain and also understand the weaknesses of the security architecture."

In September, Nigeria launched an "inter-ministerial taskforce" to tackle the humanitarian crisis in the northeast of the country, where 65,000 people are at risk of famine.

"Nigeria has been providing food support, reintegrated healthcare, shelter, psycho-social support, and access to water and sanitation amenities for those in need. We are also engaging highly respected community and religious leaders to discourage vulnerable youth from being radicalised," Buhari said.

SOURCE:ibtimes.co.uk

Boko Haram would not exist if I was President – Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has declared that the Boko Haram insurgency would not be a challenge to the country if he was President of Nigeria.

Abubakar said this in Yola yesterday at the distribution of relief materials to over 50,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at American University of Nigeria (AUN) drawn from all over IDPs camps across Adamawa State.

The distribution was part of programmes lined up to commemorate Atiku’s 70th birthday celebrations.

The relief materials were also distributed at Saint Theresa Catholic Church and the Jamatu Nasrul Islam Headquarters in Yola.

According to Atiku: “If you recall, while we are in office in 2002, such a small uprising ,very similar to this Boko Haram, reared their head in Yobe State. We smashed it immediately.

“We never heard anything about it again, until we left government.

“So I think it requires a steadfast leadership, a leadership that is decisive.”

Atiku stated that he would have used all at his disposal to ensure that Boko Haram did not strike in any part of North-Eastern Nigeria and other places in the country.

Atiku regretted that Boko Haram took over seven of the 21 local government area of Adamawa, adding that what he did to prevent Boko Haram from completely over running Adamawa State is between him and Almighty God.

The Turaki Adamawa stated that the Adamawa Peace Initiative was put together to ensure peaceful coexistence of Adamawa State and its people.

In her remark, President of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) Margie Ensign lauded the philanthropic efforts of Atiku Abubakr for sustaining Adamawa Peace Initiative for almost five years since creation.

“Nobody ever assisted us within the period under review, in providing succour to the vulnerable like Atiku did,” she said.

SOURCE|: DAILYPOSTNG

Nigerian soldiers, police sexually abuse Boko Haram victims, Human Rights Watch says

Nigerian soldiers and policemen have raped and sexually abused women and girls fleeing the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, Human Rights Watch said on Monday.

Forty-three cases of "sexual abuse, including rape and exploitation", were documented in July, HRW said.

The women and girls were housed at seven camps in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, where Boko Haram's seven-year insurgency began. That insurgency has displaced more than two million people and killed some 15,000 in Nigeria's northeast.

An army spokesman declined to comment and referred the matter to the defense ministry. A spokesman for the department could not be reached by phone and did not respond to a text message. A spokesman for the Nigerian police could not be reached on his mobile phone.

The rights group said it was also told of abuse carried out by camp leaders and members of security groups set up to help the military fight the insurgents.

Four people told HRW they were drugged and raped. Thirty-seven said they had been coerced into sex through false marriage promises and material and financial assistance.

A 17-year-old girl said she was raped by a policeman who approached her in a camp.

"One day he demanded to have sex with me. I refused but he forced me," she said, adding that it happened once. She said he threatened to shoot and kill her when she discovered that she was pregnant.

Another girl - a 16-year-old who fled an attack on Baga, near Lake Chad, last year - said she was drugged and raped in May 2015 by a community security group member in charge of distributing aid in the camp.

Boko Haram, which controlled a swathe of land in the northeast around the size of Belgium early last year, has largely been pushed back to its base in the northeast's vast Sambisa forest in the last few months.

Aid workers and soldiers have gained access to the group's former northeastern strongholds, revealing famine-like conditions which UNICEF says could kill 75,000 children over the next year if they do not receive aid.

Nigerian lawmakers in early October said they would investigate the use of government funds intended to assist displaced people, amid claims that money had been diverted.

SOURCE: Theglobeandmail

Aisha vows to work closely with Buhari, says ‘all I want is for my husband to succeed’

Wife of President Muhammadu Buhari, Aisha, has declared that her interests lie in the success of her husband’s government, despite controversies.

Aisha made this known on Thursday at Beneshiek, headquarters of Kaga Local Government Area, LGA, of Borno state at the flag off of nutritional foods and household utensils to Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs who recently returned to their communities.

Recall that Mrs. Buhari had in an interview with the BBC Hausa Service alleged that her husband’s administration had been hijacked, adding that she would not campaign for his re-election in 2019 if he does not rejig his cabinet.

But Buhari had during a joint Press conference he had with the German Chancellor, Angela Markel at his three-day visit to Berlin, responded to a question regarding his wife’s remark, saying his wife belongs in his kitchen, living room and the other room.

The comment by Buhari that his wife belongs in his kitchen had sparked controversies across the country.

However, in what appeared like a response to the heat generated by her interview and apparently her first public reaction, Aisha said, “What I am after in particular is the success of my husband’s administration and he can’t do it alone, except with the help of the governors, their wives and all members of our progressive party.”

While citing an example with herself going forward, Aisha advised wives of political leaders, governors, legislators, local government chairmen and counselors to work closely with their husbands for the well-being of the people.

“I am happy that the flag off of the food distribution took place. It is in fulfillment of my husband’s campaign promise to resettle displaced victims of Boko Haram insurgency and rescue all citizen abducted or held by Boko Haram including the Chibok girls.

“We thank almighty Allah that we have started fulfilling some of the campaign promises that we made. This is the essence of leadership; you make a promise and then fulfilled it.

“We thank my dear husband who makes sure peace is returned to the northeast states,” the president’s wife added.

SOURCE: Dailypostngr

It's Another Year Of GOD's GRACE!

Today is my birthday!!!

I am celebrating my life. I’m alive amidst life challenge, I am STRONGER and WISER. Here I am, cake waiting to be cut, another year around the sun. Cheers!!!

And these I ask for...

LORD, I ask for PROSPERITY so that all my needs might be met.

LORD, I ask for PEACE that I might not be burdened nor threatened by the storms and vicissitudes of life.

LORD, I ask for POWER that I might overcome any and every challenge of life(human, Physical, even spiritual).

LORD, I ask for FAVOR that I might dwell in serenity with men and the world.

LORD, I ask for GOOD HEALTH that I may live long and healthy enough so I can fulfill every of your plan and purpose for me.

LORD, I ask for  ANOINTING that I might serve YOUR purpose  efficiently and effectively in this cruel world.

LORD, I ask  for WISDOM and INSIGHT to be above and beyond human imagination.

LORD, I ask for ALL that will make me a GOOD WIFE to my husband, A GOOD MOTHER to my children and a BETTER PERSON in LIFE. 

LORD, do not let your presence leave me even when I try to SWERVE away from you. 

It has not always been an easy year. I’ve taken leaps of faith and risks, and still, I am here, living. So, I thank you LORD.

I want to have a little fun and be a little lazy. 

Senate Asks Buhari to reintroduce toll booths

Alarmed at the frightening level of decay witnessed on the na­tion’s highways, the Nigeri­an Senate on Tuesday called on President Muhammadu Buhari to reintroduce toll gates to enable government rehabilitate the roads.

It would be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo abolished toll gate fees collection on the nation’s highways about 12 years ago.

Obasanjo, who said that toll gates had outlived its usefulness, had on December 30, 2003 dis­banded them across the country with effect from January 1st, 2004.

He pointed out that the scheme was imposing un­necessary financial bur­den on the federal govern­ment and Nigerians who were also overburdened by other demands.

Consequently, the up­per chamber yesterday mandated its Commit­tee on Works to carefully study the toll gate policy together with other rel­evant stakeholders on ef­fective and efficient ways to carry out the policy aimed at producing a ho­listic package to generate funds for roads mainte­nance.

In December 2015, the Senate passed a motion calling on President Mu­hammadu Buhari to rein­troduce toll gates across the country in order to reduce the burdens on the roads. After waiting for ten months without any re­sponse from the President in respect of their demand, the red chamber renewed its move yesterday when it passed the resolution.

The resolution was se­quel to a motion moved by Senator Suleiman Nazif on the need for the re-estab­lishment of toll gates on our federal highways.

SOURCE: Thebreakingtmes

Army arrests 2 officers, 28 others for colluding with Boko Haram

Over 30 persons are now being investigated in the ongoing investigation of suspected Boko Haram saboteurs and collaborators in the fight against insurgency in the North East.

This follows the arrest of nine more persons over the last 24 hours. Army Spokesman, Sani Usman, had said in a statement yesterday.

Those arrested include two serving army officers, two sol­diers, two policemen bringing the total number of collaborators and saboteurs so far under inves­tigation to 30.

He said that more suspects are expected to be arrested and would be prosecuted on the basis of evi­dence available and their levels of involvement.

He said, “Please be informed that the ongoing investigation on suspected Boko Haram terrorists saboteurs and collaborators in the fight against terrorism and insur­gency has led to the arrest of nine more over the last 24 hours, there­by bringing the number to 32.

“This comprise of two officers, two soldiers, two policemen and 26 civilians.

“Many more suspects would be arrested and prosecuted based on evidences against them and the level of culpability.”

SOURCE: Breakingtimes

“Today I received 21 dear daughters. They have seen the worst that the world has to offer. It is now time for them to experience the best.”

–          President Muhammadu Buhari says, while receiving the 21 Chibok girls released by the Boko Haram terrorists (Source: Twitter)

“The one thing you have over me is experience. But it’s bad experience.”

–          Republican candidate, Donald Trump, tells his rival, Hilary Clinton of the Democratic party, during the last U.S presidential debate (Source: NBC News)

“He (President Goodluck Jonathan) said he had talked to all the leaders in Ondo State and that if PDP lost the election, it would be because of me. Then I asked Jonathan, ‘What if you lose in the whole of Nigeria? Would that still be because of me?’ That was the end of our conversation.”

–          Jimoh Ibrahim, PDP governorship candidate in Ondo State, blaming the state governor, Olusegun Mimiko, for the defeat of Jonathan in the state during the 2015 presidential election (Source: The Punch)

“If we could defeat military despots, no civilian dictator will be tolerated by the Nigerian people. I don’t believe in the assertion that the arrest of a few judges is an indication that the state has become fascistic. There is nothing dictatorial in arresting criminal suspects accused of corrupt practices.”

–          Nigerian lawyer, Femi Falana, on the recent arrest of some judges by the State Security Services (Source: The Punch)

“I move as a former head of state to offer the nation’s profound regrets and my personal apology to the good people of Oloibiri with the prayers to the present and future government at all levels in the land to work towards redressing the wrongs of the past to these people.”

–          Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s former military Head of State, after seeing a movie titled ‘Oloibiri’, apologized to the people of Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, for the devastation oil exploration has brought to the community and how it has been neglected by successive government. (Source: The Cable)

“If any party fields Aisha Buhari as a Presidential candidate in 2019, I would be tempted to not only vote for her but to campaign for her!”

–          Reno Omokri, social commentator and critic of President Muhammadu Buhari (Source: Twitter)

“The Chief Justice of Nigeria wishes to state in clear terms that the ‘sting’ operations carried out by the DSS on 07 and 08 October 2016 was certainly an assault on the independence of the Nigerian Judiciary.”

–          Chief Justice of Nigeria Mahmud Mohammed (Source: The Nation)

“The agitations and counter agitations are ill-timed. We have been together for over 100 years and it is very difficult for us to part ways.”

–          Former governor of Kaduna State, Balarabe Musa, on the call for the restructuring of Nigeria (Source: The Nation)

“We (the Igbos) should destroy this idea of victimhood; we are not the only people who have suffered and are still suffering ‘to keep Nigeria one’. Even if we don’t forget we must forgive.”

–          Chido Onumah, Nigerian journalist and author, on the agitation for the independent state of Biafra.  Mr. Onumah was speaking at the 2016 National Convention of the Anambra State Association (ASA-USA), Dallas, Texas, USA (Source: Osun Defender)

“It is horrific. The country of Madiba (Nelson Mandela’s South Africa) is being run like a spaza shop.”

–          A retired South African judge, Johan Kriegler, opposing the fraud charges against South Africa’s Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, accused of fraudulently approving an early retirement package of about $720,000 for a former employee at the tax agency about a decade ago (Source: Time Live newspaper)
SOURCE: Premiumtimesng

Delta community holds SSG hostage over herdsmen’s attack

Osissa community in the Ndokwa-East Local Government Area of Delta State are currently protesting and holding the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Festus Ovie Agas, and his convoy hostage over the alleged killing of three members of the community by suspected Fulani herdsmen.

The protesters numbering over one thousand intercepted the convoy of the SSG who was traveling to Asaba after spending the weekend with his family in Ughelli at about 6:55am along the Ughelli-Asaba express on Monday.

Sources told our correspondent that other travelers including those going to Onitsha market in Anambra State were also trapped in the protest.

Two members of the rampaging herdsmen who invaded the community with their cattle were nabbed by officers from the Ashaka Police Station.

Our correspondent gathered on Monday morning that the situation took another turn Sunday evening when the herdsmen allegedly attacked again killing at least three persons in the community.

The protesters who thronged the road blocking both lanes demanded that Fulani herdsmen vacate their land and the killers prosecuted.

At about 8:30am on Monday, the protesters had not been dispersed despite heavy presence of security men including the military.

A traveler, Akpodhoma Mikoko, who is also trapped in the situation, told our correspondent that about 800 vehicles were being held in the gridlock.

SOURCE:punchng

“Oloibiri, A Manifestation Of Negligence And Failure Of Leadership” – Gowon

Former military Head of State of Nigeria, Yakubu Gowon, has apologised to Niger Delta communities for the neglect they have suffered in the hands of successive governments.

Gowon was the special guest of honour at the premiere of Oloibiri, a movie about the Niger Delta. He urged government at all levels, to be humble enough to dialogue with aggrieved people.

“Watching through the movie, I cannot help but feel with the plight of Oloibori and all other oil producing communities and their people in the land. I agree that the movie mirrors a clear manifestation of the collective negligence and failure of leadership in successive governments in our country”, Gowon said.

“Looking back today, I must confess here that the people of Oloibiri have felt badly neglected and of course, they are hurt.

“We must, however, acknowledge as a nation and as a people that along the way, we have made mistakes, clearly Oloibiri community has not been treated fairly, they deserve our sympathy, consideration, and collective resolve to develop this once vibrant community.”

He also urged government to seek ways of redressing the wrongs of the past.

“I move as a former head of state to offer the nation’s profound regrets and my personal apology to the good people of Oloibiri with the prayers to the present and future government at all levels in the land to work towards redressing the wrongs of the past to these people.

“I also request the people of Oloibiri to forgive the oversight and mistakes of the government and the corporate government of Nigeria.”

“I have great faith in our youth in the Delta region. The future is yours if you keep it whole, you will be able to build a better country than we would leave to you today. It is up to you to love your country, defend it whether good or bad but try to make it right.

“In the Delta region, do not go on destroying all these facilities that you would need to develop, for God’s sake, stop doing that because you are hurting yourself and you are hurting the nation as a whole.”

In attendance were dignitaries and legends of the movie industry in Nigeria such as  Onyeka Onwenu, Chris Anyaoku, Olu Jacobs and Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, among others. The event was held on Thursday at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos.

SOURCE: Thebreakingtimes.

Nigerians forced to flee Boko Haram now face another risk — starvation

After being forced to flee their homes, witnessing brutal violence and the destruction of their communities, many in northeastern Nigeria are now facing another pressing risk — severe malnutrition and even starvation.

It's estimated that some 2.6 million people have been made homeless by the Islamist militant group Boko Haram, as they waged their seven-year long insurgency. People forced to flee headed in whichever direction was safe at the time.  

Some two million have fled internally within Nigeria, moving to bigger cities in the northeast such as Maiduguri in Borno state or Yola in Adamawa state. Some fled south, or across borders into neighbouring countries.

Most crammed in with family, friends or distant relatives. 

About 10 per cent, including the many unaccompanied children who saw their families slaughtered, have sought refuge in official and unofficial camps for the internally displaced.

Warnings have coming for months, with one aid agency after another expressing concern about the scale of this crisis and looming famine. 

Millions of people in Nigeria need food assistance, the UN says. In Borno state alone, more than 240,000 children under the age of five are facing severe acute malnutrition.

For 65,000 people in the hard-hit north the risk is even greater — famine-like conditions and the risk of death.

Need 'will only increase'

Ghilda Chrabieh, director of humanitarian programs for Mercy Corps in Nigeria, says the situation could be particularly dire in places yet unreachable due to ongoing fighting and insecurity.

"We are projecting that the numbers of people in need will only increase as we start to access those areas."

President Muhammadu Buhari — who didn't mention the looming famine his country faces in a recent speech for Nigeria's Independence Day celebrations —  recently spoke about the scope of the problem that comes with such a massive displacement of people, including many women and children.

"It is weighing heavily on government," Buhari said in a statement, noting that many of the children displaced by conflict and crises don't know their parents or where they come from.

The statement came after a meeting with Peter Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Maurer has described the situation in Nigeria and neighbouring Niger as "a forgotten crisis."

Speaking in an ICRC video released via social media, he said this is "despite the fact that it is one of the largest ICRC operations in the world," adding that "people outside of Niger, outside of the Lake Chad region do not really offer the attention which this conflict deserves."

'Catastrophic' situation for many

The Mercy Corps director says organizations know that "people will need life-saving aid," with food and medical care to deal with malnutrition as a first priority.

"Based on the conditions we've seen as we've gained access, and based on many reports from agencies in locations like Bama, Banki, Konduga and Monguno, we know the situation is catastrophic," Chrabieh says.

Mercy Corps has been working in the town of Damboa, which was repeatedly hit by Boko Haram attacks. In 2014, there were reports that 95 per cent of the town had been destroyed, with burnt bodies left littering the charred remains of the marketplace.

The U.S.-based charity said 97 per cent of people they interviewed in Damboa reported that they were unable to afford to buy any food for the past four weeks.

The Nigerian government continues to tell people who fled the violence that they should return home to liberated towns and villages and rebuild their lives, but Boko Haram is still active in some areas and a feeling of insecurity has kept many away.

And so, hundreds of thousands of displaced people continue to lean on host families, or pour into makeshift camps for the displaced — and resources are being stretched to their limits.  

Basic services such as health care, clean water and sanitation are already poor and there are concerns about the spread of disease.  

Nigeria had gone two years without any reported polio cases but three have now been confirmed in Borno state and with poor drainage and stagnant water during rainy season deaths from malaria and cholera have risen.

This crisis though is not just affecting northeast Nigeria.  Across the borders into Chad, Niger and Cameroon the same scenarios of hunger are being witnessed.

Some aid agencies like UNICEF have already warned that this crisis is now too big for one single government or charity to deal with alone.  

As the country director of Mercy Corps Iveta Ouvry said: "This is not a crisis that will be solved with one silver-bullet solution … Put simply, the world cannot afford to wait another moment to take action."

SOURCE:cbc.ca

47 airlines shut down operations in Nigeria due to harsh environment – Operators

Airline operators have bemoaned the unfavourable operating environment in the country, which they said have led to the folding up of 47 airlines in the last 30 years.

They told the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation yesterday that the harsh business environment is responsible for the dwindling fortunes of some airlines.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the Secretary-General of Airline Operators of Nigeria, Capt. Mohammed Joji attributed the development to “policy formulation, policy deviation and policy contradictions on the part of the executive arm of government.”

“Forty-seven airlines have gone under due to policy somersault and high operating costs,” he stated.

Joji disclosed that the Federal Government tried to address the situation in 2006 through the Presidential Task Force set up by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

He, however, noted that there had been no remarkable change in the way government agencies in the aviation sector churned out policies because the report of the task force was not implemented.

Joji said, “These include high operation costs, leading to unstable operating environment such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency charging dollars for domestic operators flying within the Nigerian airspace.

“It was for that reason the Presidential Task Force set up by the then President Olusegun Obasanjo submitted its report in March 2006. The published white paper approved among other things the following: government accepted the recommendation to grant zero tariff and Value Added Tax on aircraft, aircraft spare parts and ground equipment.

“Government also approved the removal of the five per cent VAT on ticket sales and cargo charges. The task force also noted that VAT is never charged on transportation in any part of the world because transportation is a basic service, which drives the economy. The task force’s recommendation can be collaborated by the VAT Decree No. 102 of 1993.”

The operators also complained that foreign airlines were enjoying certain incentives that were denied local carriers.

One of such is the approval of multiple destinations to foreign airlines, which they said had adversely affected their own operations.

Joji explained, “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority policy of levying operators flying on scheduled flights out of Nigeria is a punitive measure devoid of any economic sense to the airlines.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria charges the most expensive land rate in the world at N60,000 per square metre. That is more expensive than choice land in Victoria Island, Lagos, and Asokoro in Abuja.”

The Managing Director, Medview Airline, Mr. Olanrewaju Lukman, told the committee that Joji’s presentation adequately captured the feelings of the operators.

He said while the government’s plan to concede four major airports to private operators might sound appealing, it could be distorted if the process was not made transparent.

“If anything meaningful must be achieved in the proposed plan to rescue the aviation sector, then transparency must be the watchword,” he argued.

Emirates, one of the biggest foreign airlines operating in Nigeria, has said it is stopping flight operations  to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja with effect from October 22, 2016.

In another development, East African carrier Kenya Airways, has also announced that it will suspend flights to Abuja with effect from November 15, 2016 as part of its restructuring and loss saving efforts.

SOURCE: Dailypostng