Aviation Fuel scarcity grounds planes

Shortage of aviation fuel, otherwise known as JET A1 has again hit Nigerian airports, resulting in sundry delay and cancellation of flight schedules on Sunday, April 1.

The insufficiency of aviation fuel and its attendant and high price have become worrisome to airline operators since some foreign airlines resorted to flying to Accra, Ghana to buy aviation fuel which sells for between N200 and N210 per litre.

The unfortunate development angered some stranded passengers who were either forced to return home or change their travelling plans due to the outright delay and cancellation of their flights.

Meanwhile, the Assistant Secretary General of Airlines Operators of Nigeria (AON), Mohammed Tukur has warned airline operators “to be wary of what is sold to them as aviation fuel, this is the period kerosene could be sold to unsuspecting carriers in the name of aviation fuel.”

However, the halting of all contractual dealings with Maevis Limited by the Managing Director of the FAAN, George Uriesi, after the firm had allegedly investing about N9 billion in the project has been described as unhealthy for the aviation industry.

Maevis Limited, before its contractual termination was in charge of acquisition, installation, operation and management of an Integrated Airport Operation Management System (AOMS), Common User Self Service System (CUSS), Flight Information Display System (FIDS), airport pricing and billing system, a proactive revenue management system and an electronic payment gateway.

This development has caused tension among other concessionaires, especially Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited, builders of the new domestic terminal christened MMA2 who have invested over N35 billion in the aviation industry.

Recall that about two years ago, FAAN also cancelled all contractual deals of port charges collection it had with Pan Express, just as the Managing Director of Pan Express, Chief Peter Pan Okezie alleged it was done without following due processes.

According to a statement issued by the Secretary General of the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Chief Willy Ezugwu, “The whole foreign trips to canvass foreign direct investment would amount to a huge joke if firms that legitimately entered into concession agreements are so treated. We are also worried about the security implication of having foreign firms collect and keep sensitive data on Nigerians with the active endorsement of an agency like FAAN. This just has to stop.”