FG URGED TO INTERVENE IN AIRLINES, NAMA FACE-OFF

By NBF NEWS

Aviation professionals under the aegis of Nigerian Aviation Professionals Association, on Monday called on the Federal Government to intervene in the lingering face-off between airlines and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency on the controversial terminal navigation charge.

The Airlines Operators of Nigeria, had on Thursday passed a resolution to begin a strike on April 9, following an earlier circular by NAMA, informing them that due to accumulated indebtedness from the controversial domestic navigation charge, the agency would from that date begin to deal with the local carriers on a cash and carry basis.

The Secretary General, NAPA, Mr. Rasaq Saidu, who, at a press briefing described the face-off between NAMA and AON as unnecessary, said the parties should employ dialogue to resolve the matter.

Saidu, who is also the Aviation sector civil society representative, representing the ActionAid International Nigeria in the Federal Government's 2010-2012 Medium Term Sector Strategy, said his members were opposed to the crisis looming in the sector.

He said, 'If the airlines and other stakeholders feel that the amount being charged is too much for them, they should resort to meaningful dialogue with the parastatals concerned. In this case, they should enter into dialogue with NAMA management to amicably resolve this matter and avoid any confrontation because airlines and other stakeholders must pay for the services provided by the government parastatals in aviation sector if the sector is to move forward.'