Adulteration Alert: NCAA urged to increase surveillance of aviation fuel suppliers

*Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, advises the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority to license qualified companies and ensure that anyone permitted to supply fuel to airlines is properly audited and complies with the rules

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

As a timely measure to prevent any untoward incidents and damage to flight operations, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA),  has advised the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to increase surveillance of aviation fuel suppliers.

Prof. Obiora equally urged the Authority should only license companies that meet the required standards to supply Jet A1 to airlines in the country.

ConsumerConnect gathered the airline operator gave the advice Thursday, July 13, 2023, at the Annual All Markets Conference of Indigboamaka Progressive Market Association.

The conference had the theme, ‘Catalysing Partnership with Traders through Innovation, Technology, Analytical, and Sustainability’.

The UNA Chief said: “There are certain measures that are taken before you accept or reject fuel.

“But more or less, I expect that the NCAA will carry out an audit of the suppliers.”

Okonkwo restated “we have been calling for this audit before and ensuring that anybody who has the permit to supply fuel to airlines is properly audited and complies with the rules.

“We don’t have to wait for incidents, we can also control them before they cause any damage.”

Fuel subsidy removal and effects on Nigeria’s aviation sector

In proffering a solution to the dislocating effects of the recent fuel subsidy removal on the aviation industry, Okonkwo was said to have suggested a N250 billion soft loan for the sector.

According to him, this amount will go a long way to boosting the economy through the sector and not grants or free money as planned by the Federal Government

He further noted that the Federal Government should rather look at how it could use the savings from the fuel subsidy to strengthen business owners in the private sector in order to stimulate the economy and create wealth.

The Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines stated: “I am one, who always supports anything that can be done to help the people.

“I advise that, if the government has made up its mind to do that (give out N500bn as palliative to Nigerians), there must be transparency and ensure that it gets to those who need it.”

He, however, noted: “I will always advise that giving palliative handouts is never a solution to our problems.

“They should look at how they will use the savings from the fuel subsidy to strengthen business owners and the private sector, stimulate the economy, and create wealth.

“If the Federal Government can set aside about N250 billion for the aviation sector as soft loans, not grant or free money to the aviation sector, what it means is that there will be more aircraft, which can be deployed to some of the new routes. It can also energise and capitalise on us going on international routes.”

The UNA Chief also opined that “the outcome is that there will be more people employed, revenue generated by the airlines and the government will make more money.

“Flying overseas will bring about foreign exchange earnings and it will reduce the pressure.

“By and large, it will help people who don’t have jobs. This is not palliative, it will increase revenue, create wealth.”

He as well said: “My take is that while the government is taking the other side of the handout, it is also important that they use the resources to strengthen the private business owners.

“These are the people, who used their guaranteed capital to create wealth and jobs and grow the economy.”

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