₦airaland Forum

Private jet owners in the country yesterday
commenced an indefinite strike over a
directive from the Nigerian Airspace
Management Agency (NAMA) announcing a new
price regime for all private airlines operating
in the country.
In a circular dated November 18, 2013, and
signed by the agency’s director of operations,
Mr J.C. Onyegiri, on behalf of the managing
director, all foreign registered aircraft
engaging in non-scheduled operations were
directed to pay the sum of $3,000 fees for
every departure except round trips without
changes in passenger manifest or return ferry.
Such fees, NAMA maintained, must be paid in
advance and before any departure.
The circular further directed all Nigerian
aircraft engaging in non-scheduled operations
to pay the sum of $2,500 as fees except round
trips without changes in passenger manifest, or
return ferry adding that such fees must be
paid in advance and before any departure.
According to the circular, the fees shall
include landing, parking, navigational and
terminal navigational charges and shall be in
respect of the first 10 hours after which
additional parking charges may apply.
Earlier, the tariff on private jet or charter
operations was not unified, and each agency
was expected to collect its own fees. For
instance, the Federal Airports Authority of
Nigeria collects tariffs on landing and parking,
while the Nigerian Airspace Management
Agency (NAMA) charges its navigational fees
which is based on their operations.
According to industry sources, the FAAN
collects about $320 for overnight stay of the
jets at the airport and about $10, 000 monthly
on parking fees on a jet from those who do
not have private terminals. However, the fee
charged for landing depends on the aircraft’s
weight and the time it lands at an airport.
According to statistics obtained from FAAN’s
website, the rate varies for day landing, $
0.00909/kg; night landing, $0.01364/kg.
Parking for the first three hours does not
attract any fee. For the Gulfstream G450
aircraft, with landing weight of 29,935kg, the
airport authority would charge the owner
about $273 or its naira equivalent for day
landing, while it would take $408 for night
landing.
When the spokesman for NAMA Supo Atobatele
was contacted to speak on what the agency
collected from the private jet operators before
the introduction of the current tariff, he said
the current tariff was new and includes all the
charges like landing and parking, and
navigational fee and it has been introduced as
a means of increasing the revenue generation
of aviation agencies.
Efforts to get speak with Yakubu Dati,
spokesman for the aviation agencies, did not
yield result.
The new directive took effect from yesterday.

http://leadership.ng/news/201113/private-jet-owners-begin-strike-over-new-aviation-charges

Private jet owners in the country yesterday
commenced an indefinite strike over a
directive from the Nigerian Airspace
Management Agency (NAMA) announcing a new
price regime for all private airlines operating
in the country.
In a circular dated November 18, 2013, and
signed by the agency’s director of operations,
Mr J.C. Onyegiri, on behalf of the managing
director, all foreign registered aircraft
engaging in non-scheduled operations were
directed to pay the sum of $3,000 fees for
every departure except round trips without
changes in passenger manifest or return ferry.
Such fees, NAMA maintained, must be paid in
advance and before any departure.
The circular further directed all Nigerian
aircraft engaging in non-scheduled operations
to pay the sum of $2,500 as fees except round
trips without changes in passenger manifest, or
return ferry adding that such fees must be
paid in advance and before any departure.
According to the circular, the fees shall
include landing, parking, navigational and
terminal navigational charges and shall be in
respect of the first 10 hours after which
additional parking charges may apply.
Earlier, the tariff on private jet or charter
operations was not unified, and each agency
was expected to collect its own fees. For
instance, the Federal Airports Authority of
Nigeria collects tariffs on landing and parking,
while the Nigerian Airspace Management
Agency (NAMA) charges its navigational fees
which is based on their operations.
According to industry sources, the FAAN
collects about $320 for overnight stay of the
jets at the airport and about $10, 000 monthly
on parking fees on a jet from those who do
not have private terminals. However, the fee
charged for landing depends on the aircraft’s
weight and the time it lands at an airport.
According to statistics obtained from FAAN’s
website, the rate varies for day landing, $
0.00909/kg; night landing, $0.01364/kg.
Parking for the first three hours does not
attract any fee. For the Gulfstream G450
aircraft, with landing weight of 29,935kg, the
airport authority would charge the owner
about $273 or its naira equivalent for day
landing, while it would take $408 for night
landing.
When the spokesman for NAMA Supo Atobatele
was contacted to speak on what the agency
collected from the private jet operators before
the introduction of the current tariff, he said
the current tariff was new and includes all the
charges like landing and parking, and
navigational fee and it has been introduced as
a means of increasing the revenue generation
of aviation agencies.
Efforts to get speak with Yakubu Dati,
spokesman for the aviation agencies, did not
yield result.
The new directive took effect from yesterday.

Mod, abeg carry am go front page

POLITRICKS

Just some people trying to manipulate their subjects down the south. Sovereign National Conference pls? This is the only solution to the quagmire we're in today. No blood shedding!

Whether we like it or not, Nigeria is at the brink of collapse. How can Nigeria continue to exist while what her citizens share is distrust in all aspects? OP, thats a good one I say. Somebody here on NL opened a thread regarding the insincerity of this government in fighting this Bokoharam menace.Of all who are said to have been arrested, how many have ever been prosecuted? I believe that BH is a political brainchild of some people hellbent on dividing the country. A marriage engulfed in a sea of discord, hatred and distrust is no where near to achieve any good, so at least we can press the 'divorce' button.

At the eid ground right now. Please Don't forget the takbeeraat. When at the prayerground, you don't have to say any nafilah, just sit and continue the takbeerat. Also, stay on after the prayer to listen to the Imam's khutbah. TAQABBALAL LAHU MINNA WA MINKUM

The Federal Capital Territory Administration
(FCTA) has disclosed that the new Abuja city
gate to be located at the Kuje Junction, Along
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Expressway (airport
road) is to be constructed at the cost of N64
billion.
The new city gate, according to the
administration, comprises conference and
parade grounds, botanical gardens and a five
star hotel. Others are shopping arcades,
amphitheatres, cable car stations that will go
from south to north and a monorail system.
Director, department of public buildings,
Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA),
Arch Bernard Lot, who disclosed this while
addressing a press conference, said the project
would be floated through Public Private
Partnership (PPP) model and the
administration was currently looking for
investors.
“Some investors have shown interest and we
have discussed with them. We have prepared
Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory
Commission (ICRC) documentation for it at the
cost of N64 billion,” Lot said.
Explaining the concept of the new city gate, he
said, “The city gate project is a futuristic
project. We have a new one at Kuje junction;
just before the flyover at Kuje junction if you
are moving from the city to the airport. Under
the contract of the Airport expressway, very
soon they will do an underpass because the
gate is designed into a northern flank, a
southern flank and a central axis. The central
axis is a pedestrian bridge with a pile-on and
on the northern side we have the formal side
where we have the conference and parade
ground, botanical gardens and other facilities
including a five star hotel. That will form the
symbol of how a visiting head of state could be
given the key to enter the city.
“On the southern side, we have commercial
facilities such as shopping arcades,
amphitheatre, cable car station that will go
from south to north and even with a monorail.
City gates in modern architecture are places
where people can come and converge, live and
seek information about the city and go back
without entering the city. One doesn’t have to
enter Abuja without knowing about Abuja.
Right from the city gate, you can know about
the city and go back. The city gate is going to
be complemented by the centenary city which
is adjacent to it.”
On the millennium tower project which was
awarded at N69 billion, he said the
administration had spent about N34 billion and
the cost of outstanding work was about N34
billion, but “We felt that with government’s
dwindling resources, we have to look for a way
forward on how to actualise that project. The
project in itself comprises a national square. It
is a paved plot with underground parking on
two levels under and that would be completed
within the next one month. We need to make
some corresponding engineering road network
around that place to get access to it.
“So, we are discussing with the director of
engineering to make sure that roads B8 and
B10 between NS8 and NS9 are completed in
such a way that we can have a free flow of
traffic to access the underground car parks
and utilise the national square. Apart from the
national square, we have the millennium tower
and revolving restaurant at the height of 110
metres. It will resolve slowly and is for a
capacity of 120 people. We intend to complete
that project and by the end of this year, you
will see it under construction. By the end of
the contract period which is October 2014,
you will see the restaurant functioning. It is an
economically viable project that we can easily
sell for a PPP model and we will see it
actualised within our own time.”

What of the guy with the satellite images
MUSIWA, the great engineer

Some of our unis are nothing but glorified secondary schools.How can we compare ourselves with foreign ones(plus the likes of Ghana).I finished primary school, I never sat on the floor to receive lessons. So also my secondary school.But I can remember vividly my First lecture in the uni, I sat on the staircase for the first time to receive lecs.Sometimes, students seat under the lecturer's desk; with just few inches btw themselves and the lectrr.Are we going to continue like this fellow compatriots with such deplorable state of educational infrastructure? For me, thats why am solidly behind these ASUU guys;they shld continue the struggle until victory is achieved.Just for a nation to dedicate a 1/4 of its budget to education is becoming wahala! The last time they spent a trillion naira on security, did we see any difference.of course we didnt.May God help us.

When will all this drama end? From ASUU to ASUP to NASU and now to NUT.By the time NUT joins, the nation's educational system will be completely down. With most of what ASUU is asking for,I support.Any sane Nigerian knows that the current system is in shambles.We just cant continue like this.So, I urge ASUU to stick to their guns on this.ALUTA CONTINUA,VICTORIA ASCERTA

Nice write-up.May Allah give us the ability to perform it.May Allah(SWT) also increase in beneficial knowledge.AMIN

Jazakallahu khayran OP. But I saw in the fataawa of Shaykh Uthaymeen that the Tasbih prayer has not been authentically reported from the Prophet (SAW).

At least Ruqayyatu Rufa’I has joined us in the ASUU league 10 wks after the start of the season. GEJ hasnt closed his sacking window yet!

otokx: So the former minister of education will now be joining the ASUU strike.

LOL

No names?

I thought I saw 9bn in the news. Will 1bn be enough to renovate 18 hospitals and also build 2 new ones?

Subhanallah. While our brothers and sisters are out there wallowing in abject poverty in Somalia, Afghanistan, Niger, Mali etc the Saudis are trying to break world records in vanity skyscrapers. Wallahi this is very disheartening to the Muslim world. But the Prophet (SAW) informed of all these current happenings towards the end of the world. I read somewhere in the book :The End of the World, that towards the end of time, tall buildings will be built in Makkah emerging higher than the surrounding mountains in the Haram; which is now evident with the Abraj al bayt dwarfing the mountains. May Allah (SWA) increase us in Eeman in these difficult times and save us from the fitnahs of the end times.

Abeg where Aristide Bance now?

[quote author=Rafidi ][b]just for info and to set the records straight,Umar Ibn al-Khattab-the second sunni caliph-is a controversial figure.he is very much disliked by Shia Muslims and even hated and cursed.he is seen as the primary figure who spearheaded the coup at saqifa banu saeda to usurp the caliphate from Imam Ali (as).he is also disliked because of the pain he caused Prophet Muhammad (sa) in the Event of Pen and Paper while the Prophet (sa) was on his deathbed,in which he insulted and disobeyed the Prophet (sa).he alongside abu bakr also refused the Prophet's (sa) order that they join the army of Usama Ibn Zaid (ra).worse,Shia remember him as the head of the gang that assaulted the house of Lady Fatima (as),daughter of Prophet Muhammad (sa),in a bid to force her husband,Imam Ali (as),and those taking asylum in her house pay allegiance to abu bakr.

next time,people should be mindful of those they praise so others too don't feel offended.i wouldn't have found the need to restate these facts or contend on the personality of Umar-by and large a controversial figure-if someone had not opened a thread to praise him in total disregard of differing views.[/b][/quote]Someone who gave his daughter's (Hafsah) hand in marriage to the Prophet (SAW), and you accuse him of such? May Allah guide us aright. Amin

At the time this thread was opened last year, I could not grasp but little of what the khatib was saying. But Alhamdullillah, by enrolling myself into an Arabic course in the neighborhood (almost through with the intermediate level), I can now a understand a large chunk of the khutbah. So brothers nd sisters, the best way to overcome this barrier is for us to learn this noble language. I promise you'll find it easy and interesting.

This is the first time I am hearing this. I've been led many times in congregation with this surah. What I know is that one can read from any part of the Quran. The most important is for you to ponder upon the verses being recited

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu
Rufa’I, said on Thursday in Abuja that French
would be part of the Unified Tertiary
Matriculation Examination (UTME) as from
2014 for interested candidates.
Rufa’I said this at a farewell reception held in
honour of the French Language Project
Manager, Mr Jean-Phillipe Roy.
She said that being multi-lingual in the 21st
Century was essential as it helps individuals to
operate more effectively in the international
community.
“For Nigeria, the study of French language is
quite a key, considering the fact that our
neighbouring countries are French-speaking.
“Apart from the English language, French
language is one of the major international
languages, ‘’she said.
She said Roy came to Nigeria in 2009 under
the 2nd Bilateral Agreement between Nigeria
and France.
The minister noted that he has worked hard to
ensure that various components of the project
received due attention.
Rufa’I lauded his contributions to the reform
of the UTME for 2014 in addition to the
scholarships awarded to 16 teachers of French
language to study in France for one month.
She said the project manager’s contributions,
included supply of books to schools, award of
Masters Degree in French as a Foreign
Language and supply of DVD and CD players to
the project office, among others.
The minister lauded the support of the French
government to the Nigerian French Language
Village, Badagry, Lagos, the Regional Network
of French Language centres in Africa.
She also commended the association of French
Language Teachers, and noted the proposed
handing over of the project vehicle to the
ministry for the monitoring of the teaching
and learning of the lanaguage.
“Nigeria and France have come a long way in
their relationship. It is a relationship built on
mutual respect, cooperation and interest.
“I wish to assure you that the ministry will
continue to be committed to the teaching and
learning of French language in Nigeria and
sustenance of the cordial relationship,’’ she
said.
She called on the French government to
introduce similar programmes to complement,
sustain and consolidate the achievements made
so far.
Responding, Roy lauded the collaboration
between the Federal government and the
French Government.
“Since I have been here, you have shown a lot
of interest in what we have been trying to do
in terms of decision-making in critical issues
and, with your help, we have been able to keep
the project on the right track.
He said that the French government has so far
organised 160 training sessions in various
parts of the country, adding that 4,290 people
participated in the programme.

Wow. Alhamdullillah. I am highly delighted by this development even though I was not able to donate. Kudos to all the donors and also to the untiring organizing committee. Jazakumullahu khayran. And I also wish that this gesture shouldn't stop here, we should continue striving until we reach greater heights.

Seun: The Islam section was created for security reasons, to protect non-muslims from the risk of violence, and not to promote Islam.

Seun, I don't expect these words from you as the Administrator here. Why would you characterize muslims with violence?I would like to say that : Islam section welcomes any sensible and non-derogatory question posed to it.

Jazakallahu khayran brother. There is a very nice book on this by Muhammad Salih Al - Munajjid : 33 ways of developing khushu' in salaah. It can be downloaded from kalamullah.com.

That was a good one tbaba. Jazakallahu khayran

Please I'm experiencing problems uploading which I didn't anticipate at first. If you have the video at your disposal, pls upload for the benefit of all. Jazakumullahu khayran

With the daily oppression of the Muslim ummah from all angles, I stumbled upon this video of this great man who died fighting for the course of Islam. He died longing for the liberation of Al-Quds from the hands of the Jews. The main problem of this ummah today is the crop of puppet regimes that only execute what is dictated to them by the western powers. Just watch this!

Another melodrama declared open. We're already tired with that of FFK and the Igbos.

Rosa Caputti, an Iraqi war veteran, writes this on Tarek Mehanna:
If Mehanna is a terrorist conspirator for
advocating resistance to US military
occupation, then so am I, a Marine veteran.
On 12 April, Tarek Mehanna was found guilty
of conspiracy and of giving material support for terrorism
and was sentenced to 17 years in prison. The
prosecution accused Mehanna of translating
statements for al-Qaida and of disseminating
pro-jihadist material on the internet. Mehanna
maintains that he does not support the world
view of al-Qaida, though he is unapologetic for
supporting the rights of Muslims to defend
themselves against their oppressors – in this
case, US and British soldiers. The American
Civil Liberties Union has said that the verdict
against Tarek "undermines" free speech
, while the prosecution holds that Tarek was
"conspiring to support terrorists" and "for
conspiring to kill Americans overseas"
.
However, if Tarek Mehanna is guilty, so am I.
I, too, support the right of Muslims to defend
themselves against US troops, even if that
means they have to kill them, and I try to give
the Iraqi resistance a voice through my
website. I have done everything that Tarek
Mehanna has done, and there are only two
possibilities as to why I am not sitting in a cell
with him: first, the FBI is incompetent and
hasn't been able to smoke me out; second, the
US judicial system would never dream of
violating my freedom of speech because I am
white and I am a veteran of the occupation of
Iraq.
Indeed, Mehanna is being punished for his
ideas, and the case against him stinks of a
lynch-mob mentality. The Islamophobia that
still grips the US has often resulted in a
hysterical witch-hunt for "radical" Muslims, of
which Tarek Mehanna is the most recent
victim. Most Muslims in the US can get by as
long as they proclaim their love for this
country and keep their mouths shut about
American foreign policy, but a Muslim who is
vocally critical of US policy is still a very scary
thing for many in the US. Mehanna's ideas
have been criminalized because they are
critical of US policy and advocate for jihad ,
which, unfortunately, is pitifully
misunderstood in the US. In the current
political atmosphere, critical ideas are too
often equated with extremism, and jihad is
equated with terrorism.
Jihad is not synonymous with terrorism,
however, and most Americans would be
shocked to learn that they share many values
with jihadists, such as duty, the importance of
self-improvement, and the right to self-
defense. Jihad, which literally means "struggle"
or "effort", can describe an internal struggle to
refrain from sin, an effort to promote Islamic
values, or a duty to defend other Muslims
when they are under attack. Jihad is not an
aggressive war to convert others, nor does it
condone terrorism. Yet, jihad is popularly
understood in America to be a call for
terrorism against infidels.
I found Tarek Mehanna's sentencing statement
eloquent and truthful. I agree with him that
much of what the US military has done in Iraq
and Afghanistan can be characterized as
terrorism, and I support Afghans and Iraqis
who fight back against us. What I helped do to
the city of Fallujah was terrorism
, and I lost two dear friends in that operation,
but I cannot hate or begrudge the resistance in
Fallujah for killing them. They were only doing
what I would have done had a foreign army
been laying siege to my hometown. We were
the aggressors and the terrorists, and I can see
that now, eight years too late.
I agree with Tarek Mehanna that when Muslims
attack US troops that have invaded and
occupied their country, it is not an act of
terrorism. It is simply warfare. Just as when
George Washington's army attacked British
troops in 1776, it was not terrorism, but
warfare. However, such a comparison assumes
that there is an objective definition of
"terrorism" that is used consistently by
Americans. But as Tarek Mehanna pointed out
in his sentencing statement, the term
"terrorism" is subjective in American
discourse, because the term is only acceptable
when it is used to refer to what the official
enemy does to us.
If there were an objective definition, then the
same standards by which we condemn the
terrorism of others could be used to condemn
our acts of terrorism. We could then say that
the "shock and awe" bombing of Iraq killed
more innocent civilians than the attacks of
9/11
, and was also an act of terrorism. We could
also say that what we did to Fallujah was an
act of terrorism. But such statements are
shocking and unthinkable to Americans.
I'm not afraid to profess my support for Tarek
Mehanna, or to advocate for his ideas, because
I know the law does not apply equally to all in
America. My whiteness and my status as a
veteran will protect me. But Tarek was brown
and he never made the mistake of enlisting in
the Marine Corps, as I did. So he will spend
the next 17 years in a prison cell.