Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority,NCAA would investigate aviation fuel suppliers in the country’s aviation industry to determine the source of fuel contamination and find out their level of compliance to industry standards on fuel supply.

The agency also said Boeing 737 aircraft series in the fleet of Max Air remains grounded pending the outcome of investigation into the fuel contamination incident in the tank of one of its airplanes.

Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General Civil Aviation (DGCA),who spoke with aviation journalists Nuhu, said that it was important to investigate the source of aviation fuel contamination in the industry in order to prevent a currence.

He explained that the NCAA issues the fuel marketers licenses and would not hesitate to withdraw the licenses issued if anyone of them is found wanting.

Max Air B737-300 with the registration number: 5N-MHM,it would be recalled had fuel contamination in the main fuel tanks, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shutdown on ground at Yola Airport on July 7, 2023.

According to reports, immediately after the aircraft landed at Yola Airport, fuel was dumped on the tarmac in Yola, while “multiple drums of water” were collected from both tanks of the aircraft, which had just landed.

Nuhu explained that the airline had purchased fuel at Lagos, Abuja and Kano airports before the contaminated fuel was discovered in its fuel tank at Yola Airport.

He said the NCAA would carry out extensive investigation into the incident to know where the contaminated fuel was purchased by the airline.

He, however, said that the NCAA would investigate the bowers and fuel procedures of Max Air to know if they were complicit in their Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

Nuhu emphasised that it is the responsibility of pilots and the airlines to check the quality of fuel intake from oil marketers into their tanks, maintaining that NCAA could not be at all the airports nationwide to supervise their operations.

He said: “Any fuellers that we identify as having issues, we are going to suspend them. We license them and we are going to review all the oil marketers in the Nigerian aviation industry. The airline (Max Air) took fuel in Lagos, Abuja and Kano. We are looking at the bowers and fuel procedures of the airline. We want to ensure that everything is okay and within the standard of civil aviation

“I expect to get a report from the fueling stations to see if there is any problem. Any fueler that has identified issues, we are going to suspend it from supplying fuel to the airlines until we are satisfied and we will also consult with the petroleum regulatory agency in Nigeria to ensure that all these matters are resolved.

“We have taken the appropriate measures by suspending Max Air until these measures are fixed. We will ensure all the issues are resolved before we can allow them to fly.

“We are also investigating the fuel suppliers to ensure that the problem is not with them. Max Air might be a victim of the fuel supplier and during their storage, or fueling or whenever, the contaminated fuel got into their aircraft.”

He also explained that the NCAA would on Friday, issue All Operator Letter (AOL) to all the indigenous airlines to alert them on their responsibility on fuel supply.

Nuhu assured the travelling public that the NCAA would continue to ensure safety of flight operations in Nigeria through its conducts.

He said that the regulatory body would in few days hold a meeting with the regulatory body in the oil and gas sector and enlighten them about the requirements and standards for the aviation industry.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has suspended the Boeing 737 aircraft fleet of Azman Air following series of incidents involved the aircraft type in the airline in the past two months.

The agency has immediately set up a team of inspectors to conduct an audit of Max Air operations.

The regulatory agency conveyed this through a letter to the airline, dated July 12, 2023 with the reference number: NCAA/DG/AIR/11/16/363, signed on behalf of Capt. Musa Nuhu, the Director-General, Civil Aviation by Capt. Ibrahim Dambazau, its Director of Operations Training & Licensing.

It explained that the decision was taken due to safety concerns.

The letter hinted that the apex body in the civil aviation industry in Nigeria suspended Parts A3 and D43 of the Operations Specifications Issued to Max Air with immediate effect.

Parts A3 deals with the airline’s aircraft authorisation and D43 deals with aircraft listing of the operations specifications issued to Max Air Ltd.

The letter reads : “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) hereby suspends Parts A3 (Aircraft Authorisation) and D43 (Aircraft Listing) of the Operations Specifications issued to Max Air Ltd. with regards to the operations of the Boeing B737 aircraft type in your fleet.

According to NCAA, the B737 aircraft in the fleet of the airline has had four occurrences in the last two months with the last being on Tuesday, July 11, 2023.

The breakdown of the serious incidents indicated that the airline’s B737-400 with the registration number: 5N-MBD, lost its number one Main Landing Gear (MLG) wheel during the serious incident.

It said the serious incident occurred between take-off at Yola Airport Adamawa State and on landing at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja Nigeria on May 7, 2023.

Also, another B737-300 with the registration number: 5N-MHM had fuel contamination in the main fuel tanks, leading to the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) shutdown on ground Yola Airport on July 7, 2023.

The regulatory body stated that on July 11, 2023, its B737-400 with the registration number: 5N-MBD had aborted take-off at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) due to high Exhaust Gas Temperature (EGT) indication.

Besides, its B737-300 aircraft with the registration number: 5N-MHM had an air return back to Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA) due to duct overheat indication in the cockpit on July 11, 2023.

It added : “With the above suspension, you are to immediately suspend the operations of all Boeing B737 aircraft in your fleet. The authority’s action is due to the several occurrences that involved your Boeing B737 aircraft”

Mohammed Shosanya

The Senate has begun moves to probe the concession of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, and the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja,by the last administration.

It also implored the government to review the entire exercise and give a level playing field to all stakeholders to participate in the process.

The move by the Senate followed a motion by Senator Suleiman Kawu, (NNPP Kano South Senatorial District), reading “Urgent Need to Reverse the Concessioning of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.”

Leading the debate, Senator Kawu told the Chamber that the Federal Executive Council, on 17th May, 2023, approved the concessioning of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano for 30 years, to Messrs Corporación America Airports Consortium.

He added that the Federal Ministry of Aviation (and Aerospace) does not own, or run any airport in Nigeria and that by the dictates of the governing Act of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), ownership and management of all federal government airports were fully vested in the Authority.

He also noted that the Infrastructure Concession and Regulatory Commission (ICRC) procedure document states, with respect to the agency that wishes to concession a facility that, “The public entity should have enabling authority to transfer its responsibility – enabling legislative and policy framework or an Administrative Order to that effect.

The motion reads in part: “Reflects that from the combined import of the FAAN Act and the ICRC procedures manual, is an evident manifestation that the entire airports concession is based on an incurably faulty foundation.

“For, there is no doubt that it is the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, not the Ministry of Aviation, that has power ‘to transfer its responsibility’ to a would-be concessionaire. It is also FAAN, not the Ministry, which has the requisite legislative & policy framework’ for such;

“Convinced that if the claim that the FEC has approved the concessioning of Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport has any substance, then the FEC has indeed been misguided in its decision, and that action cannot amount to anything than a nullity;

“Worried about the rational in borrowing and spending public money to upgrade the airport only to hand it over to foreign businesses for a period of 30 years in the name of a concession;

“Alarmed that Nigeria is receiving a concession fees or upfront of $1.5m while the total amount of money that the Kano airport is accruing to government is $97.4m;

“Disturbed that this concession is clearly dubious and raise questions on the process and what the actors stand to gain; Recalls that unions in the aviation industry embarked on a strike to question the integrity of the concession exercise, stressing that the concession of the airport away from FAAN would necessarily cause a cessation of the employment of all the staff involuntarily:

“Worried that the concession by the Buhari-led administration raises a fundamental question of injustice on why an elephant project with huge public investment would take place just at the end of the administration; and observes that the faulty gaps inherent in the concession would lead to an array of lawsuits and thereby embarrassing the current administration.”

The Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South), lamented that some of the government agencies and officials that did the concession, took advantage of what be described as Buhari’s passiveness as a leader, to cheat Nigerians.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Nigerian House of Representatives, Tuesday directed the Federal Ministry of Aviation and its partners in the Nigeria Air project to immediately suspend flights operations and every other actions with respect to the Nigeria Air;

It also urged the new President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to urgently constitute a Presidential Committee to undertake a holistic review of the processes of the Nigeria Air project, and advice the government on the way forward.

The committee said it was alarmed by the launching of Nigeria Air despite an existing court order restraining such action
The Chairman House Committee on Aviation, Hon Nnoli Nnaji, expressed disappointment at the action of the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika.

He said that the committee was disturbed by the action of the Ethiopian airline in the unveiling project.

The committee on Aviation made the following resolutions.

“The Committee after careful evaluation of the issues on deliberation is totally dissatisfied with the actions of the former Minister of Aviation, Sen, Hadi Sirka in going ahead to flag off the opcrations of Nigeria Air despite a standing Court injunction against such, and without any provision for sustaining the operations of the airline. We are equally irked by the role played by Ethiopian Airline in this whole process. It does not speak well of the excellent brotherly relationship existing between our two nations.

“A careful review of the process indicates the exercise to be highly opaque, shrouded in secrecy, shoddy and capable of ridiculing and tarnishing the image of Nigeria before the international community. We want to put on record, that the Committee and indeed the National Assembly had no role in the purported launch of Nigeria Air or anything related thereof.

While the Committee and indeed the parliament is not opposed to Nigeria having a National Carrier, as a matter of fact having a National Carrier is highly desirable to us as a people and Nigeria, as a nation. However, such a process should be transparent and all embracing. We as a Committee would not accept any attempt by any individual or group of individuals or organization to hide under the project and siphon our commonwealths.

The committee resolves to ensure that all individuals, or groups, or organization involved in the controversial shenanigan named “Nigeria Air Take-Off” are brought to book, prosecuted and sanctioned

It also resolves to advise that the Federal Ministry of Aviation with its agency, the NCAA to designatcs some Nigcrian Indigenous Airlines as Flag Carriers, to take advantage of Bi-lateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) entered into by Nigeria, pending when a viable National Carrier comes on board.

It added:” In conclusion, looking at the total amount required to fully starts the airline which is put at $250,000,000, the Nigerian government and its citizenry can raise these funds without necessarily subjecting itself to the ridicule we have been exposed to by this episode”

Nnoli also said: ” Let it be put on record that the House of Representatives and the committee has no part you play in the unveiling of Nigeria air”.

The committee urged President Tinubu to as a matter of urgency constitute a committee to review the Nigeria Air project and bring all perpetrators to book.

He said that the emergency meeting was summoned to make sure that Nigerians were not shortchanged.

Hon Nnaji said that it was not proper for Air Nigeria you have been unveiled without all the necessary documents being available and the stakeholders being carried along.

“There is no growth without sacrifice. The committee leadership and Nigerians woke up to the rude shock of the launching of a national carrier. Before you unveil an airline, you must put some things in order. Hon Nnaji said.

He commended the local airlines industry I’m Nigeria and urged them to keep up the good work.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole, said that Nigeria Air was not launched but unveiled.

He also said that Ministry followed due processes in the unveiling,adding that no resources was approved for the launching of Air Nigeria.

He reminded the meeting that Airline Operators are in court on the project and the matter should not be discussed

On this the chairman countered saying that it was funny that he just remembered that the issue was in court.

Representatives of Airline Operators of Nigeria said that nobody is against the coming up of Nigeria Air ,but were dissatisfied about the process.

The Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, ICRC,
Mr. Joe Aniku Michael Ohiani, said that Nigeria Air project was not ready as the three most important documents are not ready

“We were not consulted. There’s no shareholders agreement. It is a naming ceremony without a birth.”. Ohiani said.

A former Director General of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA, Captain Roland Iyayi said that the Nigeria Air project would not benefit the Nigerian public.

He noted that the award of a majority stake in Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines was not transparent and would bring about unfair competition in the Nigeria airline industry.

“The dealings are not entirely transparent. There are undue privileges given to this new carrier which domestic operators aren’t enjoying. For instance, the government proposes a 15-year tax moratorium for the national carrier. Again let us be very clear, this is not a national carrier in the context in which it is being presented.

“This is a flag carrier. This is because if you are bringing strategic investors at 49% and it has other institutional investors, one of which is 60% owned by a foreign entity. In the long term, what you are putting together is a foreign airline being allowed to operate in the Nigerian space in variant with Article 7. This is not in the interest of the Nigerian public” Dr. Iyayi said.

The Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema described the Air Nigeria Project as a “ruse”.

He said that the idea of national carrier was outdated and countries no longer get involved in it.He said that it was a lie that Nigerians want national carrier.

Mohammed Shosanya

Dr. Gabriel Olowo, the President of Aviation Round Table (ART) has advocated the need for the federal government to consider barter arrangement with foreign airlines over the controversy surrounding the 818.2m blocked funds.

He said,the Central Bank of Nigeria, could engage the governments of the individual foreign airlines and work out the modalities for crude oil exchange if it was legitimate.

According to him,the federal government in 1985 under the regime of Major Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, exploited the same option with Brazil and a few other countries when the country was facing foreign exchange challenges.

He said: “This ever growing airline home remittance and its attendant embarrassment on Nigeria by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), will it be out of place to think of barter?

“Engage the individual governments of these airlines if they will pay the airlines in exchange for our crude oil if it is legitimate. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari at his first coming did barter trade with Brazil and others.”

IATA had earlier in the week, raised the alarm that foreign airlines blocked funds in Nigeria had increased to $818.2 million from $744 million as at the end of March.

It said the figure made Nigeria the country with the most trapped funds in the world.

A statement by Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director-General put the total trapped funds in the world at $2.27 billion as at April, 2023.

Apart from Nigeria, other four countries also mentioned in the trapped funds saga are Bangladesh; $214.1 million, Algeria; $196.3 million, Pakistan; $188.2 million and Lebanon; $141.2 million.

IATA maintained that the top five countries account for 68 per cent of blocked funds worldwide.

He warned that rapidly rising levels of blocked funds are a threat to airline connectivity in the affected markets.

He emphasized that the industry’s blocked funds have increased by 47 per cent to $2.27 billion in April 2023 from $1.55 billion in April 2022.

He declared that airlines could not continue to offer flight services in countries where they have found it difficult to repatriate their funds and called for quick action to address the situation.

Mohammed Shosanya

Minister of Aviation,Senator Hadi Sirika and airline operators in the country are currently locking horns over the take-off of national carrier at the eleventh hour of the outgoing administration.

The government had insisted that Nigeria Air plane will arrive the country tomorrow,Friday,while the operators see such moves as unwarranted on the ground of pending legal hurdles surrounding the birth of the national carrier.

Speaking to Channels Television on Wednesday, the Minister said a Nigeria Air aircraft will land in the country on Friday as part of processes to commence operations and unveiling of the delivery process.

He also assured that the plane will be unveiled in Nigeria’s colours in fulfilment of the promises made by the administration in the aviation sector.

He added:“On the question of Nigeria Air, on Friday in two days, Nigeria Air plane will land in Nigeria as part of the processes to commence operation. We will on that day unveil this aircraft, the livery and everything in Nigeria’s colours, belong to Nigeria Air and we will proceed to go and do the retrofit and bring back those aeroplanes.”

The Minister, however, said that the only incomplete item is the aerotropolis, which is the airport city and is 60% complete.

He disclosed that the groundwork has been completed and that the next administration is expected to conclude work on the airport city.

But,Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON),in a statement on Thursday, said that the last minute attempt by the Minister to force a national carrier is a call for anarchy.

Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, its spokesperson, said that the actions being taken by Sirika were in flagrant disobedience of the orders of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, which halted the move.

According to him, it was necessary for AON to respond to the statement of Sirika due to the myriad of inquiries from concerned, patriotic Nigerians and industry stakeholders who had expressed concern over the minister’s comments to commence the new national carrier by Friday, May 26, 2023, which is the last working day of the current administration.

The body welcomes the establishment of more airlines in Nigeria,but against any contraption that is shadowy and not in the best overall interest of the country,he quoted in the statement.

The statement added: “We need the outgoing minister to come forward, defend and counter the very damning submissions in our suit.
“Again, it is very disturbing that a minister is desperately hoodwinking the entire nation into accepting a massively flawed process just 72 hours to the end of his seven-year tenure in office as Minister of Aviation, even as the courts have halted him.

“Stakeholders are worried that his actions may create problems for the incoming government of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.”

AON said that the government of Tinubu should not be blackmailed into accepting a contraption that would hurt the Nigerian economy and destroy millions of existing jobs in favour of a few individuals and a foreign country.

It maintained that Sirika was aware of the different court orders against him and Nigeria Air, reiterating that he was courting a charge of contempt of court with his action.

The group added that the process of acquiring Airline Operators Certificate(AOC) for Nigeria Air was still at stage one of the exercise, contrary to the minister’s statement that process had reached the last stage – phase five.

It declared that the world was watching the regulator, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) on the Nigeria Air and its AOC process, adding that the NG Eagles’ flawed AOC issuance was equally a matter that would be tackled in the future.

“The government should understand that the actions and pronouncements of this minister is not only impugning on the independence and integrity of the NCAA, but also capable of bringing the entire industry into disrepute, thereby adversely affecting the ratings of Nigeria’s airlines on the global stage.

“The minister cannot order these certification processes by fiat. Therefore, an aircraft flying into Nigeria and bearing Nigerian colours does not change anything.

“Furthermore, the fact that the minister has just a few more days left of his time in office, makes it necessary that promoters of the airline, if they exist, other than Sirika, should be talking to Nigerians, telling them what they ought to know and answering relevant questions about their stakes in Nigeria Air,” AON said.

It clarified that until the order was vacated, the Ministry of Aviation cannot proceed with any action towards the airline.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Federal Government has concession the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja and Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA),Kano for 50 years

A statement by Dr. James Odaudu, the Special Assistant on Public Affairs to Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of Aviation,said the two airports were concession to the Corporacion American Airport Consortium in line with all the laid down rules and regulations.

According to him,while Abuja Airport was concession for 20 years, Kano Airport was concession for a 30 years period.

He also said that the concession of the airports was in alignment with the Aviation Roadmap, approved by President Muhammadu Buhari on October 18, 2016.

The statement said that the concession was also approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

He said this achievement signifies a notable milestone in the country’s steadfast commitment towards revitalizing the nation’s aviation sector.

The statement added: “Following a thorough and comprehensive evaluation process that commenced with the Request for Qualification (RFQ) advertised in local and international media on August 16, 2021, and subsequent rigorous evaluation of technical and financial bids, coupled with due diligence visits conducted from December 27 through 29, 2022 and January 9 through 10, 2023, the Corporacion American Airport Consortium has emerged as the preferred bidder.

“The consortium, composed of The Corporation American Airports, Mota Engil Africa, and Mota Engil Nigeria, is globally recognised for its superior technical expertise in the design, construction, management, and operation of infrastructure.”

The statement said that Corporation American Airports, a New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) listed airport operator, has presence across three continents, managing 53 airports in six countries and serving approximately 82.4 million passengers in 2019.

The concession of NAIA and MAKIA, Sirika would considerably enhance the operational efficiency and profitability of these airports, repositioning them to operate optimally and competitively.

Besides, the Corporacion American Airport Consortium,said it is committed to making upfront payments of $7 million for NAIA and $1.5 million for MAKIA.

During the concession period, total projected nominal revenues accruable from the combined Concession of NAIA and MAKIA exceed $4 billion, while over 70 per cent of these projected revenues would be payable to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), thereby generating additional revenue sources for the Federal Government.

Sirika declared the period is historic for Nigeria’s aviation industry.

He said,the partnership with the Corporacion American Airport Consortium underscores the administration’s dedication to improving the standards of the nation’s airports, providing world-class services to all travellers and generating considerable economic benefits for the country.

He added that the concession would herald a new era of excellence in Nigeria’s aviation industry, saying that he eagerly anticipates a successful partnership with the Corporation American Airport Consortium.

He also announced that the Ministry of Aviation has changed its name to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace.

Mohammed Shosanya

The Senate has begged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to release the sum of $717, 478, 606 airlines funds trapped in the country.

The Senate also implored the apex bank to allocate $25 million to airlines operating in Nigeria at its forthrightly dollar auction.

The resolutions of the Senate was sequel to the consideration and adoption of a motion titled: “Current Issues on airlines blocked funds in Nigeria” sponsored by Sen. Biodun Olujimi (PDP-Ekiti South).

The Vice Chairman of the Committee, Sen. Bala Na’Allah (APC-Kebbi) presented the motion on behalf of Senator Olujimi, who is the Chairman of Senate Committee on Aviation.

He said that since Jan. 2021, Nigeria has been the most challenging country in the world for the airlines to repatriate their funds to support their operation.

He added:”In February, Nigeria alone accounted for 44 per cent of total airlines blocked funds in the entire world.The total airlines blocked funds in Nigeria as at March amounted to $717,478,606, comprising matured bids that the CBN is yet to deliver, bids yet to mature and cash balances in airlines’ accounts for repatriation.

“The matured bids not delivered by CBN amounted to $186.5 million amounting for 26 per cent of total blocked funds while three stakeholders (IATA, Qatar Airways, and Ethiopian Airlines) accounted for 57 per cent of total blocked funds.A review of airlines’ blocked funds in Nigeria in the last six months shows an average month-on-month increase of $49.3million

“The consequences of these blocked funds are: Cheap tickets are not available in Nigeria because taxes and inflation would have eroded the profit when the funds are kept for a very long time.This makes tickets very expensive and limited because neighbouring countries get the cheap tickets because of prompt payments due to prompt repatriation of funds.”

The Senate also called on the Federal Government to urgently reverse the current trend of increasing airlines blocked funds in Nigeria.

It also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the CBN Governor, Godwin Emefiele to pay up the blocked funds to the affected airlines.

Tunde Sholanke

The commencement of the national career,Nigeria Air is currently facing fresh hurdle on account of litigation

Specifically,Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Azman Air Services Limited, Air peace Limited, Max Air Limited, United Nigeria Airlines and TopBrass Aviation Limited have filed a suit challenging the propriety of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) issuing the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) to the Nigeria Air.

The plaintiffs, in a suit dated April 19, 2023 through their solicitor, Nureini Jimoh Chambers and addressed to the Director-General Civil Aviation, also warned the regulatory body from having anything to do with the Minister of Aviation or the Ministry of Aviation and other interested parties on the matter.

They informed the DGCA that the issue was already at the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos presided over by Hon. Justice A.L. Alagoa who granted Orders of interim and interlocutory injunctions, which restrained the parties involved from going ahead with the project.

The suit read: You are therefore notified to desist from dealing with the minister, the federal ministry of aviation and/or their agents, privies or representatives, pertaining the Air Operator Certificate (AOC), subject matter of the suit, to avoid consequences of disobedience of Court Orders.

“As a law abiding regulatory agency, you are under the watchful eyes of the world and it is in your interest to desist from any further action on the AOC process that will ridicule the integrity of the agency before the local media and as well as the global aviation community.”

The AON and other plaintiffs had on November 19, 2022 called on the court to look at the extant laws and interpret such to know if the processes following the planned rebirth of a new national carrier for the country were not in violation of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Besides,the Federal Government and Ministry of Aviation in January this year, sought the transfer of the case from Lagos to the Federal High Court – Abuja Judicial Division.

An affidavit in support of motion on notice sworn to by Des-Bordes Felicia, the counsel to the defendants; Nigeria Air (1st defendant), Sen. Hadi Sirika (3rd defendant) and Attorney General of the Federation (4th defendant), argued that hearing of the suit in Lagos would add financial burden on the defendants.

Tunde Sholanke

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet),has faulted an advisory purportedly issued by the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) alerting Nigerian public to the possibility of lightning strikes across Nigeria in the month of May,this year.

Muntari Yusuf Ibrahim, NiMet’s General Manager Public Relations,disclosed this in a statement on Monday,saying that at no time did it authorize NLSRC to issue any such weather forecast to the public, even though it is the statutory function of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

The agency stated that ‘NiMet is not responsible or liable in any way for any consequence(s) resulting from reliance or acting upon the said weather information issued by NLSRC or any meteorological/weather information obtained from any source outside of its approval/authorization’.

The agency further urged the public to totally disregard the information issued/disseminated by the NLSRC.

“It has come to the notice of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) that there is a publication purportedly issued by the Nigerian Lightning Safety and Research Center (NLSRC) to the Nigerian public, alerting them to the possibility of lightning strikes across Nigeria in the month of May, 2023.
NiMet wishes to inform the public that at no time did it authorize NLSRC to issue any such weather forecast to the public, as this is the statutory function of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.

“NiMet is statutorily mandated under Sections 7 (1) (a) and (i) of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Establishment Act, 2022 (NiMet Act), to advise the Federal Government on ALL aspects of meteorology and to collect, process and disseminate ALL meteorological data and information within and outside Nigeria. NiMet is also the SOLE AUTHORITY to prescribe and issue the meteorological data and information required for all sectoral activities in Nigeria (Section 7(2)).

“Further to the above stated provisions, any person who collects, uses or disseminates weather forecast or any other meteorological information obtained from any other source outside the approval, licence or authority of the Agency for commercial or public purpose, commits an offence and is liable upon conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both (Section 30 (2) of the NiMet Act).

“Consequently, the public is hereby advised to totally discountenance the information issued/disseminated by the NLSRC as stated above, as well as any meteorological information issued or to be issued by this body or from any source outside of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency or the Agency’s approval/authorization.

“NiMet is not responsible or liable in any way for any consequence(s) resulting from reliance or acting upon the said weather information issued by NLSRC or any meteorological/weather information obtained from any source outside of its approval/authorization.

“The public is hereby advised to obtain all weather related information/warning from NiMet Headquarters Abuja, NiMet official website @ www.nimet.gov.ng, any duly authorised publication or any NiMet licensed/authorized body, in line with the requirements of the law, as this will help ensure the accuracy and reliability of such information.

“The public is further advised to promptly report any observed unauthorized dissemination of weather/meteorological information to the Agency through the office of the Director General/CEO or send an Email to info@nimet.gov.ng” .