Aviation scandal: Nigerians rue failure of NASS oversight functions

DAILY POST

Messy accusations, denials and counter-accusations have continued to trail the unveiling of the national carrier, Nigeria Air on May 26th, sparking outrage, calls for better oversight functions, and improved governance.

Establishing a national carrier was one of the most anticipated projects that many Nigerians prayed that the Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government would deliver during its tenure.

Nigeria Air was a lofty initiative of the Buhari administration to serve as an official national carrier. The commercial airline, stipulated to be a Boeing 737 national carrier, was billed to have 51 per cent of its equity owned by the Nigerian government and people, while foreign partners would have the remaining 49 per cent.

Also, the then Aviation minister, Hadi Sirika, who midwifed the project hinted that the Air Nigeria carrier would generate over 70, 000 jobs when it begins operation. It was based on some of these promises that many hoped for the materialisation…