Bashir Ahmad, former Special Assistant on Digital Communications to immediate-past President Muhammadu Buhari, has slammed claims by the National Assembly’s Aviation Committee that Nigeria Air is a fraud.
Taking to his personal Twitter page on Tuesday, Ahmad noted that all necessary documents required to power the airline have been signed by the Aviation Ministry and operational offices opened.
“NigeriaAir is NOT a fraud, the Aviation Ministry has made significant progress towards its realisation.
“Branding unveiled, partnerships and agreements signed, most of the operational certificates issued, and operational offices opened. NigeriaAir will fly to make Nigeria proud,” Ahmad tweeted.
Recall that on Tuesday, the House of Representatives poked holes in the purported launch of Nigeria Air at the twilight of the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, declaring it a fraud.
Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Nnolim Nnaji, declared the launch of Nigeria Air a fraud after the major stakeholders in the deal between the Federal Government and Ethiopian Airlines denied knowledge of the launch.
The Ministry of Aviation claimed Nigeria Air was only unveiled and not launched, which the committee dismissed as an attempt to divert the lawmakers’ attention.
Members of the committee said they were shocked when the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) disclosed that the aircraft bearing Nigerian colours was on a chartered flight to Nigeria.