Nigerian Airlines Given One Week to Account for N4bn COVID-19 Funds or Face Refund

The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued an ultimatum to private airline operators in Nigeria to account for the N4 billion COVID-19 intervention funds they received from the federal government.

Failure to provide a detailed explanation of the funds’ usage within a week will result in a mandatory refund to the government treasury.

During a resumed investigative hearing on the alleged mismanagement of COVID-19 intervention funds by the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) of the federal government, the Chairman of the PAC, Hon. Bamidele Salam, expressed disappointment over the lack of satisfactory explanations from the airlines and industry stakeholders.

Representatives from Aero Contractors and Azman Airlines were present at the hearing, with Aero Contractors’ Station Manager, Mr. Abdulmalik Musa, admitting to receiving N217,345,542.05.

He claimed that the funds were used for airport handling, fueling, on-board catering, pilot training, and lease rental payments.

However, the committee members, including former Nigeria Airforce pilot Hon. Ojuawo Adeniyi, found the explanations provided by the airlines to be unsatisfactory.

In response, a motion was passed to demand a refund of the funds should the airlines fail to present justifiable evidence of their expenditure.

The PAC’s decision underscores the importance of transparency and accountability in the use of public funds, particularly in the context of the aviation sector’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The move is expected to serve as a warning to other beneficiaries of the relief funds and ensure that the government’s efforts to support the industry are not undermined by mismanagement or misuse.

As the deadline approaches, it remains to be seen whether the private airlines will be able to provide the necessary evidence to justify their expenditure of the COVID-19 funds.

Failure to do so may result in a significant financial blow to the companies and further scrutiny of their operations.