The Transport Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, has said that the Federal Government was reviewing all the waivers granted by the immediate past administration to some sectors following massive abuse of the privilege.
He said this at media briefing at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Annex at the international wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos, shortly after inspecting facilities at the gateway airport.
He explained that the Federal Government decided to review all the waivers granted some sectors of the economy because they were thoroughly abused.
According to him, “The Federal Government is reviewing all waivers granted by the last administration because the waivers were thoroughly abused”
The clarification became necessary following complaints by Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) that the waiver granted airline operators on imported aircraft spare parts has been withdrawn.
On debt owed aviation agencies by airlines and other concessionaires, he stated that efforts would be made to recover all the debts, adding that there is nothing like bad debts as far as he was concerned.
In his words, “Efforts will be made to recover all the debts owed the agencies because there is nothing like bad debt because we are not banks and there will not be any sacred cow.”
Safety, the minister, stated was not negotiable and that it must be achieved in the aviation industry, even if it means borrowing to achieve.
He urged the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to engage the public more to allow them know what the was doing or planning to do.
Speaking on transport generally, Amaechi said that the huge potential in the sector be it in rail, air and maritime have not been tapped, adding that when these areas are employed it would further help to provide employment to Nigerians.
On the national Carrier, the Transport Minister said that the committee set up to look into the possibility of establishing a new national airline had submitted its report to the Federal Government and that it was being studied.
