Former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has finally reacted to controversies surrounding the unveiling of the new national carrier, Nigeria Air, 48 hours before his exit.
The purported Nigeria Air was discovered to be a hired aircraft from Ethiopian Airline, repainted and rebranded in Nigeria colours.
The scam has put the country in bad light globally. However, Sirika has come out to say high powered individuals in the country also contributed to frustrating the good intention of former President Muhammadu Buhari towards the project.
He alleged that the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Hon. Nnolim Nnaji requested for five per cent share in the airline for him and his people which he turndown directing him to the stakeholders.
Nnaji had described the Nigeria Air launch a fraud.
In an interview on AriseTV, Sirika said: “I will respond now. I will say exactly what I told him in private when we spoke.
“Hon. Nnaji asked me that I should give him five per cent of Nigeria Air to carry him along with his people, and I said to him at that time, Honourable, a bidding process that has taken place, and some people won. So, I think you should go to those people and ask for the five per cent.
“Let’s be fair, Hon. Nnaji didn’t say other members. He said he wants it for himself and his people. His people could his be his family, could be members and it could be the leadership. I don’t know, but he insisted on five per cent. I said that he should relax and approach the owners. That’s exactly what I told him”.
The former Minister also criticised Nnaji and the aviation committee for conducting what translated to a “predetermined hearing”.
‘I was a member of the House of Reps 20 years ago, and 10 ago I was a Senator”.
Efforts to reach Nnaji have so far proved abortive.
