The Senate Committee on Aviation on Wednesday recommended that Arik Air be allowed to serve as Nigeria’s national carrier, a decision that has been criticised in the past.

The committee recommended that the airline, owned by Port Harcourt-based businessman, Dr. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, should become the national carrier until the Aviation Ministry sets up a new national carrier.

Nigeria has been without a national carrier since the demise of Nigeria Airways in 2003, when most of its facilities were sold to Arik Air at giveaway prices.

Nigerian Airways was founded in 1958 after the dissolution of West African Airways Corporation. It was wholly owned by the Government of Nigeria, and once owned about 30 aircraft. But it was plagued by corruption and mismanagement and in 2003, it was heavily indebted and owned only one aircraft for domestic routes and two leased aircraft for international routes. But aviation analysts have warned that it will be Nigeria’s biggest scam if Arik became national carrier.

Arik Air is said to owe AMCON billions of naira and often struggles with staff wages and leased aircraft. With the committee’s decision, Arik Air’s debt will be transferred to Nigeria’s taxpayers, the analysts have said.Experts in the aviation sector have labelled it “a trick to settle the boys and pass the debts to the country”.

They have called on the Federal Government to set up a national carrier from scratch, using its own resources, instead of buying over debts and other liabilities.If this recommendation is adopted by the National Assembly, Arik Air will enjoy preferential rights or privileges, accorded by the government, for international operations.

The airline company will also be required to display the flag of Nigeria in all its aircrafts.

acidosis™:
Congrats, Dr. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, I see you're about making some fresh cash..

.Nairaland:

Exactly, but the guy will also pay his due to some senators. You know now

saxywale: okay, just like jimoh Ibrahim's airline. Privatize the profits and socialize the losses.

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lacasa: Only in Nigeria will the NA make such a daft recommendation.

OBJ and Odili abt ϯo make some trillions at the stupid dumb inadequate average nigerian's expense

Nigeria, Africa's ηo.1 failed entity

slimming: That should result to more aircraft and cheaper fare.

swtchicgurl
Arik is a good aviation company but i just read about their debt and now national carrier?! huh
it's only in nigeria that oil and water mix! the land of possibilities!