Speaking during a Channels Television programme, Morning Brief, Sirika said the airlines, under the umbrella of the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), opposed the public-private partnership agreement between the federal government and Ethiopian Airlines, which he insists was transparent and properly regulated.
Nigeria Air Agreement and Court Battles
Sirika explained that the deal, which was approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and overseen by the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), was a fair one. He argued that the project only stalled after local airlines went to court, contesting the federal government’s decision to retain just a five percent stake.
“We had an airline, but some people (Air Peace, United and Azman) went to court to say we cannot establish an airline where we take five per cent. That was what stalled it. If there was no court case, and the new government had pursued it, by today, we would have an airline,” Sirika said.
Budget and Transparency Claims
The former minister also dismissed allegations that ₦100 billion was squandered on the failed project. According to him, only ₦3 billion was released between 2015 and 2023 out of the ₦5 billion budgeted, and part of the funds was used for consultancy and staff salaries.
“Nearly a third of the ₦2 billion spent went into consultancy, and the balance went to staff that were hired. Every step followed ICRC’s process to the end,” he explained.
Sirika urged Nigerians to use the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act to investigate claims of fraud surrounding the deal, reiterating that it was neither a shady nor wasteful arrangement.
Why Ethiopian Airlines Was Chosen
Defending the government’s choice of Ethiopian Airlines as a technical partner, Sirika said no Nigerian carrier had the capacity to compete with global mega carriers.
“Ethiopian Airlines has been running successfully for 79 years. They came to partner with us to open up the world. Today, a ticket from Abuja to London is more expensive than Accra to London because we do not have a formidable airline,” he added.
According to him, while 95 percent of airlines operating within Africa are foreign-owned, Ethiopia’s flag carrier has proven that an African airline can compete on a global scale.
