General News
Demonstration Flight Hours Cost Airlines N36m for AOC Acquisition
Aviation experts in Finum Aviation Services have decried the estimated sum of N36 million spent by airlines in sponsorship for the fifty demonstration flight hours in the course of Air Operators Certificate (AOC) acquisition.
Aside that, experts at Finum believe that the process of (AOC) acquisition has and is perhaps still been seen as a task by those in the industry and by greenhorn investors from outside the sector.
Speaking at the 2nd memorial lecture in honour of Engr. Zakari Musa Haruna held at the NCAA annex, Lagos, Sheri Ayuba Kyari, managing director of Finum Aviation Services, said that the cost of fuel worked out by them shows that an average of Thirty Five or Thirty Six Million Naira is being expended by airline sponsors for the fifty demonstration flight hours in the course of AOC acquisition.
He said that FAS feel such sum can be reduced drastically to only five hours without passengers while ninety five hours can be done while carrying passengers.
According to him, this will reduce cost and the airlines can be made to use a large amount for the training of crew and engineers, et cetera.
To lead us in this task will be no other person than our amiable Guest Speaker, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, President, Sabre (WA), a man with a wealth of experience in airline management, marketing and economy.
He said, “This year, we are looking at the complex processes of acquiring the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)’s Air Operators Certificate (AOC). The process has and is perhaps still been seen as a task by those in the industry and by greenhorn investors from outside the sector. Today we will all try to contribute to finding a middle of the road approach and open our industry for expansion in order to absorb the teaming young population dotting our airports in search of jobs.
“We at Finum will like to start by congratulating the Federal Government for proceeding with the award of contract for the construction of the second runway at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport; Abuja almost thirty five years after the only run was commissioned. With the incident of the Saudi airline last year which caused the runway to be close for eighteen hours and the closing of the runway for maintenance this year clearly shows the need for that facility – second runway.
“The next facility that is of dire need today is a maintenance centre capable of handling all the commercial airliners in the country that require heavy maintenance. The absence of this asset is encouraging capital flight and this song has been sung for too long to the stage that the music is losing its flavor.
“We will however continue till sing it till the tune actually loses it meaning, if it will. This is a facility that can be taken up by private investors but the fear of policy inconsistency is the order of the day. Government therefore, must provide guarantee and assurances to investors either by getting involved or providing a conducive environment for investors.
“Our airports need to raise the level of security in view of the sporadic bombing of public places in the country. And since airports are also public places, we have a duty to use technology for surveillance of secured environments around the airports.
“Undoubtedly, we need to increase the level of security awareness and employ latest technology to scan the airports to keep air travelers, workers and infrastructures safe and secure.
“Unemployment of pilots, engineers and other cadre of aviation workers is still an issue and last year we were told over two hundred young pilots were without work and similar situation is befalling others. We need to open up the industry for more investors and give these young ones an opportunity to achieve their aspirations.
“All bottle necks for investors should be removed and allow serious investors whether domestic or foreign to buy into aviation. This will also pave way for more jobs and even consultants to thrive.
“Aviation professionals have indeed failed the industry by the continuous bickering without coming together to find a way for a smooth management of the industry. Whether those in employment or the retired ones. There is no document forwarded to any minster of aviation by the totality of industry professionals.
“A document that has the input of Air Traffic Controllers, Meteorologists, Cabin Crew, Engineers, etc., itemizing priority areas, rather it is individuals that send proposals and use polarizing sentiments such as ethnicity, religion or regionalism to direct whoever happens to be Minister or chief executive. We are Finum, pray that we will find a cause to unite and present a common position for the benefit of the industry and the nation.
“The last thing on our mind is the protracted case of the Nigeria Airways ex-workers. The professionals and the other highly placed persons in the industry have failed to support in the fight for them to have their pensions paid.
“This is unfair and we believe that it is time for all groups to act and assist these ex-workers to secure what belongs to them, not as a gift, but as a constitutionally and legally endowed right for being government workers”.
Dr. Bosun Tijani, Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, on Wednesday said that no fewer than twelve federal universities will benefit from high-fibre digital infrastructure before the end of the year.
In addition, some Nigerian universities are set to begin enjoying 24-hour electricity supply to enhance teaching, research, and learning on campuses, according to the Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa.
Dr. Tijani disclosed this at the commissioning of a High-Fibre Digital Facility at the University of Abuja’s old Boys Hostel. He said the initiative aims to equip students with digital skills and access needed to explore emerging opportunities in the global tech ecosystem before graduation.
Citing examples of young Nigerians who have successfully built billion-dollar online payment firms, Dr. Tijani urged students to leverage the digital infrastructure being provided by the current administration to develop themselves and build a future in tech.
The project is a collaboration between the federal government, Galaxy Backbone Nigeria Ltd, Huawei Technologies Nigeria, and other tech firms. It will deliver free Wi-Fi services across campuses, serving as a digital equalizer for students.
Present at the inauguration were the Director-General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa; the National Commissioner for the Nigeria Data Protection Commission, Dr. Vincent Olatunji; the Managing Director of NigComSat, Mrs. Jane Egerton-Idehen; and the Postmaster General of the Federation, Mrs. Tola Odeyemi.
Also the Vice chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof Patricia Lar and the institution’s Registrar and the Managing Director of Huawei Technologies Nigeria, Mr Teorens Wu attended the event.
Dr Tijani further said digital inclusion was necessary especially for the students to navigate contemporary challenges and become successful in the digital space without waiting for white collar jobs on graduation.
He said the University was the first of the seven universities for the first phase of the pilot scheme. And that by the end of June, they would have connected the seven universities for the first phase.
“This initiative we are launching here today is the first of the seven in a pilot scheme, and by the end of July, we will have connected the seven universities”, he said.
“Galaxy Backbone has the infrastructure in place already; all we are doing is to take the fibre to hostels,” the Minister added.
“Your challenge today is what you do with the knowledge that you’re being given. And this is why to actualise the dream of our president, we’ve taught it to be important that Nigerian university students cannot continue to learn without access to meaningful connectivity.
“It is unacceptable because we know when we give you this access that not only are you going to be better in what you’re learning, but you’re actually going to create the future that our president is asking that we create as a nation”, Dr Tijani said.
Dr. Alausa, on his part, noted that the University was a special institution selected by the government to enjoy a 24-hour power supply. And that other special institutions will enjoy 24hrs power before the end of 2026.
“The president is energising institutions. We have special institutions in the country today enjoying 24-hour electricity via the presidential renewable mini-grid project, the solarisation project.
“The University of Abuja is one of the beneficiaries. You have a 3.3 megahertz mini-grid here and everybody can attest to it now that you have a 24-hour electricity supply.
“The president is not stopping there. Before the end of next year, all the special institutions will have a mini-grid. You will all enjoy a 24-hour electricity supply, “Dr Alausa said.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, University of Abuja, Prof. Patricia Lar in her welcome address described the project as a laudable one that would benefit the school community.
“It’s a special initiative that’s going to create opportunities for students of all economic status to access data to be able to use for knowledge and education, and to feed their creativity with ease.
“We are grateful for deploying fibre to our hostels. This also works with the solar power backup that has been installed in our campus,” she said.
Nigeria has approved a fresh $500 million replenishment of the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF) at the African Development Bank (AfDB), extending the facility for another 15 years.
President of the AfDB, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, announced this during his opening remarks at the ongoing AfDB Annual Meetings in Abidjan as he expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima for their continued support.
“To President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and to Vice President Kashim Shettima, for your support over the past two years, I am profoundly grateful. Thank you for graciously approving the replenishment of the Nigeria Trust Fund for another 15 years for $500 million.”
The Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF) was set up in 1976 through an agreement between the Nigerian government and the African Development Bank Group. It’s a revolving fund that sustains itself over time and is designed to support the development of low-income African countries in need of concessional financing.
The fund can be used in a number of ways—either to co-finance projects alongside the African Development Bank and the African Development Fund (ADF) or to finance projects independently. It supports both public and private sector initiatives and can also be used to top up funding for ongoing Bank Group-backed projects.
Unlike the ADF, which allocates funds to countries, NTF resources are tied to specific projects. This allows for more flexible, needs-based support where it’s most effective.
The National Assembly has hinted that it may consider passing the harmonised tax reform bills by Tuesday, following a successful review of the troubling clauses in the proposed legislation.
This was disclosed by the Chairman of the House Committee on Finance, James Faleke, via his official X account on Sunday. Faleke is the leader of the House delegation for the bills harmonisation exercise.
He tweeted, “The conference committee set up by the House and the Senate on the Tax Reform Bills has successfully concluded its work. The joint committees thoroughly reviewed all sections and addressed the grey areas of the four bills, examining each clause strategically and resolving contentious issues.
“After an intensive deliberation that stretched through Thursday night, all day Friday, and into the early hours of Saturday, I am pleased to report that the bills are now ready for presentation to both the House and the Senate for final passage.
“I would like to especially appreciate the Senate conference committee, ably led by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, the Distinguished Senator Sani Musa, as well as all members of the Senate Conference Committee.
“I also extend heartfelt gratitude to my colleagues on the House Conference Committee, which I had the honour to lead, for their unwavering commitment to the Nigerian people. We are truly grateful for your dedication and resilience in bringing this important task to a conclusion.”
It was reported that the four tax bills were sent two weeks ago to the joint harmonisation committee made up of members of the Senate and the House of Representatives to reconcile the amendments of both Chambers before it is transmitted to President Bola Tinubu for his assent.
After announcing the passage of the bills following a majority voice vote, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, praised the lawmakers for their sacrifice in ensuring that the tax system in Nigeria meets an international standard.
He said, “These four executive bills seek to transform and modernise the tax system in Nigeria.”
The move came barely 24 hours after the Upper Chamber earlier cleared two of the bills before pushing the remaining legislation for consideration on Thursday.
Addressing journalists after the plenary, the Chairman of the ad hoc committee for the tax reform bills and the lawmaker representing Niger East Senatorial District, Senator Sani Musa, explained that they did their best to ensure the taxation system in Nigeria meets international standards.
Musa also disclosed that parts of the tax proceeds will be used to fight cybercrime, boost defence infrastructure, the TETfund, and aid soldiers in their efforts to restore peace and safety in the country.
Continuing, the Niger Senator explained that the senators recommended that the President needs to appoint a chairman and create an ombudsman to arbitrate and adjudicate on tax-related matters.
The legislator also harped on the need for the establishment of a tax tribunal, which he said cannot be overemphasised.
“It is not à court of record. We have looked at the issue of VAT, coĺlection of taxes, development levies, and inheritance tax, which had been expunged.
“I believe Nigerians wiĺl see something nice from this. We also commend the President for giving a level playing field to all,” he said.
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