Reps Commence Investigation Into Disbursement of COVID-19 Intervention Fund

House of Representatives, on Monday, resolved to investigate complaints by airline operators and other stakeholders on the handling of the COVID-19 intervention fund by the Ministry of Aviation.

Rep. Nnolim Nnaji, the Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, in a statement, explained that the concerns raised by aviation stakeholders regarding the matter were too weighty to be ignored.

Nnaji said that the committee had resolved to demand from the ministry the detailed disbursement of the intervention fund to rescue the industry from any unforeseen incidents.

“The essence is not to witch-hunt anybody but to clear every doubt over the disbursements. We want to know the detailed disbursements, airline by airline, the parastatals under the ministry and other organisations.

“The committee was quite aware of the challenges facing the industry due to the COVID-19 impact and the genuine concerns expressed by its Minister, Sen. Hadi Sirika, on the need for the Federal Government’s palliative to the industry.

“Some airline operators have, however, complained that despite being asked to submit their details which they did, up to date, there has been no response from the ministry.

“There were also allegations that the ministry carried out selective disbursements and that the exercise lacked transparency,” the lawmaker said.

Nnaji promised that though the house had already adjourned for the Easter holidays, the committee would cut short its break to look into the matter because of the vital role of aviation in the overall economy of Nigeria.