The House of Representatives says it will investigate airline operators’ complaints on the handling of the COVID-19 intervention fund by the Ministry of Aviation.

“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, Senator Hadi Sirika, on the need for federal government’s palliative to the industry,” said Nnolim Nnaji, Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation.

In a statement on Monday, Mr Nnaji said that the concerns raised by aviation stakeholders regarding the matter were too weighty to be ignored.

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

“There were also allegations that the ministry carried out selective disbursement and that the exercise lacked transparency,” he added.

The lawmaker disclosed that the committee had resolved to demand from the ministry the detailed disbursement of the intervention fund to save the industry from any unforeseen incidents.

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

Mr Nnaji assured 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 critical role of aviation in the country’s overall economy.

(NAN)