News

FG’s Palliative to NANTA Intact, Members Delaying Disbursement – Akporiaye

Published

3 years ago

February 9, 2021

Eric

By Ajibade Morakinyo

The President of National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs. Susan Akporiaye, has declared that the palliative received from Federal Government through the Ministry of Aviation is intact as some members refused to send their account details to the agency for disbursement.

This was made known during the first quarter media parley on the state of travel trade/aviation sector on Tuesday as she acknowledged that the funds which in total is N196million will only go to certified financial members of NANTA and Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) which in total are over 800.

According to her, the palliative might not be able to solve all havoc the COVID-19 pandemic has wrecked on its members but it will be able to cater for one or two bills in their business.

She made it known that the pandemic challenged the very legacy of united NANTA with its members not sure of what to expect or where the next meal and business will come from. “Yet, some members are not sending; they think we’re lying and we’re giving them time to send the details. This is why there is delay in disbursement.”

“Moreover, evidence of disbursement must be sent back to the Ministry. And when the association was recently contacted by the Ministry from Abuja for the evidence of disbursement, I told them what our plight is, and they understand that until we have our members’ details complete, we’re not disbursing the fund,” she said.

Recalling the impacts of the pandemic on the sector, the President said the impact on global travel and consequent impact on Nigerian travel trade sector was like the road to Gethsemane. “It was brutish, unexpected and fearful.

“It was at this hour of global and national darkness that my administration came on board. We built a coalition, not only from our members but also our principals. We had to think out of the box and give hope, opportunities and strengths to our members. No doubt, this helped them remain focused even in the midst of these challenges.

“We are working round the clock to provide more services and opportunities for our members, particularly in reaching out to our various stakeholders to provide windows of opportunities and support to NANTA members at this critical time.”

From the statistics released by the President, she said the NANTA total sale for 2020 first quarter in comparison to 2019 shows how deepened the pandemic ate into the sector productivity.

The statistic pegged the sales of January 2019 at $57.79million, while that of January 2020 was $70.03million. February 2019 saw $51.52million compared to that of February 2020 $59.16million. March 2019 recorded $80.55million, while March 2020 recorded $23.26millions. While April 2019 saw $92.52million, April 2020 saw a loss of $-1.38million. This pegged the total sales recorded for 2019 first quarter at $282.6million, while that of 2020 first quarter was $151million.

However, the President lauded the International Air Transport Association (IATA) for the support given to NANTA in such a time like this. “They gave us a shoulder to lean on, supporting our recovery efforts, oxygenating the breath to our collective future and survival.”

She stated that IATA has been so lenient with the association. “Our annual obligations were reconsidered since 2020 was a year of tumor coupled with the foreign exchange challenges with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).”

“With this, we only sent them a comprehensive letter demanding a review. We didn’t win the battle but they gave us a soft-landing. They even encourage our members to communicate with them by opening a communication channel for counselling and advice on what to do to stay afloat the challenges from the pandemic.”

Speaking on forex challenges with bank, NANTA Financial Secretary, Mr. Daisi Olotu, said the association’s request of $60,000 from the bank to pay the annual dues of all its members across the country to IATA was denied as the bank was only able to give $4,000; sometimes $2,000 or $3,000.

“The bank made it known to us that they will continue to bid the requested amount from CBN, and this was what we related to the IATA; and they listened to us.”

He, therefore, urged the authority in charge of forex to consider the sincerity of purpose of those requesting foreign exchange in order to ensure the activities of those; like NANTA who are massively in need of forex are not in jeopardy.

The President also revealed that the COVID vaccination is the road to the recovery of the sector as this would enable travelers to be confident about their health safety.

She also urged the members of the association to be patient and not cut corners to remain above the waters.

“In weeks to come, we have instructed our training committee to come up with training modules beneficial to our members as we take bold steps to engage alternate openings which can help us provide better services to Nigerian passengers and our stakeholders”

The parley was graced by NANTA Lagos Zone Vice-President, Mr. Yinka Folami; NANTA Vice-President, Hezekiah Afolabi, and members of the press.

News

N80.2b Fraud: EFCC Declares Ex- Gov Bello Wanted

Published

16 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, wanted. Yahaya Bello was declared wanted for offences bordering on economic and financial crimes, with special emphasis to an alleged N82.2 billion fraud.

This was contained in a press statement made available to news men on Thursday.

The statement signed by Commission’s management reads as follows:

“Former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, is wanted by the EFCCfor offences relating to economic and financial crimes to the tune of N80.2 bn.

“Anybody with information as to his whereabouts should report immediately to the commission or the nearest police station.”

News

EFCC Seeks Military’s Help to Arrest Fleeing Ex-Gov Bello

Published

18 hours ago

April 18, 2024

Eric

Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court Abuja, on Thursday, adjourned to April 23, the suit instituted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the immediate past Governor of Kogi State, Mr. Yahaya Bello.

The adjournment is for substituted service and possible arraignment of Bello for alleged N84billion money laundering.

At the sitting, counsel for the EFCC, Kemi Phinro, told the court that Bello was absent from court for his arraignment because he was being protected by someone with immunity.

Phinro complained that the former governor was whisked out of his Abuja residence by the same person with immunity.

Phinro said the anti-graft agency might seek the help of the military to fish him out to come face his arraignment.

Responding to this submission, Yahaya Bello through his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad, told the court that there is an order of the court restraining the EFCC from arresting or arraigning him.

Muhammad said a Kogi State High Court had on February 9, 2024 restrained the EFCC from arresting or arraigning the former governor.

He added that the EFCC has appealed the ruling and the Court of Appeal was yet to decide on the matter.

He pointed out that the action of the EFCC was unconstitutional and the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain any charge from the EFCC.

Counsel for the EFCC, however, disagreed with the submission of the counsel to Bello.

The EFCC counsel held that the ruling in the substantive matter on the suit was delivered on March 17, 2024 by the Kogi State High Court.

He cleared the air that the court in its ruling held that for the former governor to be arrested or arraigned, the EFCC must first seek leave from the court to do so.

He said it was in line with that judgment that the EFCC, through an exparte application, filed for the order seeking the arrest of the former governor which was granted by the court.

Counsel for Yahaya Bello, however, insisted before the court that the order for the ex-governor’s arrest was made out of jurisdiction. He said the former governor is not a fugitive, but relying on the order of the Kogi State High Court to take protection.

On Wednesday, EFCC operatives stormed Bello’s residence in the Wuse area of Abuja and spent most part of the day attempting to arrest the former governor whom the Commission later confirmed was whisked away by his successor.

The EFCC subsequently warned members of the public that it is a criminal offence to obstruct officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

The Commission’s spokesperson said that Section 38(2)(a)(b) of the EFCC Establishment Act makes it an offence to prevent officers of the Commission from carrying out their lawful duties.

According to him, culprits risk a jail term of not less than five years.

“On several occasions, operatives of the Commission have had to exercise utmost restraint in the face of such provocation to avoid a breakdown of law and order.

“Regrettably, such disposition is being construed as a sign of weakness.

“The Commission, therefore, warns that it will henceforth not tolerate any attempt by any person or organisation to obstruct its operation as such will be met with appropriate punitive actions,” the statement added.

News

Gunmen Invade Ekiti Secretariat, Days after Oyo Assembly Invasion

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2024

Eric

Barely three days after armed Yoruba Nation agitators invaded the Oyo State Government Secretariat, gunmen on Tuesday, stormed the Ilejemeje Local Government Area Secretariat in Ẹda-Oniyọ, Ekiti State, causing pandemonium among the workers.

The attackers disrupted normal activities and forced employees to flee the premises for safety.

The hoodlums, who were said to have come from the Obbo-Ayegunle community in the neighbouring Kwara State, violently stormed the secretariat, firing several gunshots, making workers run in different directions for dear lives, and in the ensuing pandemonium, one person was injured.

Reports said the hoodlums vandalized the Secretariat building and other property of the council.

Although the cause of the attack was still sketchy as at the time of filling this report, it was however gathered that the two communities have been embroiled in crisis for some time over land disputes.

During the attack, which lasted for several hours, one person was said to have sustained serious injury and rushed to the State Specialist Hospital in Iye-Ekiti.

The hoodlums reportedly heavily armed with dangerous weapons including gun, charms and cutlasses. They invaded the Secretariat at about 10:am.

Speaking on the attack, the Eleda of Eda Oniyo community, Oba Awodipo Awolola, explained that the hoodlums had in few days attacked some residents of the community, with charm in their farmlands, the development which the monarch said had resulted in panic and tension in the community.

The traditional ruler, who lamented the absence of police post in the area, said there is a need for security outfits to mobilise more officer to the community to prevent further breaking of law and orders.

Similarly, the Chairman of Ilejemaje Local Government, Mr. Alaba Dada, said the suspected hoodlums were from the Obbo-Ayegunle community in Kwara State.

He attributed the attacks to the lingering land disputes between the two communities, he explained that though security agents had been mobilised to the town to prevent repraisal attacks.

He said there is need for the Ekiti and Kwara State governments to meet, and settle the land dispute in the interest of peace and harmonious relationship.