News

NANTA Applauds FCCPC’s Investigation over Outrageous Airfares

Published

10 months ago

December 23, 2023

Eric

The President, National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Mrs Susan Akporiaye, has said that the announcement by Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( FCCPC) to investigate the raging and unbelievable airfare regime in Nigeria, is a welcome development.

NANTA leadership in recent times and in response to the cries of Nigerian travelling public had taken decisive advocacy steps, and complained to the Federal Ministry of Aviation, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA), and the National Assembly Committee on Aviation to wade into the issue which has made life difficult for the members of Nigerian travelling public and also impacting negatively the survival of travel trade professionals in the country.

According to Mrs Akporiaye, NANTA is elated beyond measure by the response of the Federal Government through its consumer protection and regulatory agency to wade into this matter, which has become seemingly unending.

We want to appreciate Government through the Executive Vice Chairman of FCCPC, Babatunde Irukera, who has assured the sector that investigations would commence into the present structure of Airfares in Nigeria and bring it to an acceptable regime” she stated. According to the Executive Vice Chairman FCCPC, it is only fair to conduct a thorough investigation before decisive intervention steps are taken.

Mrs Susan Akporiaye, who in recent times with her team, initiated one of the most stringent advocacy for good practices in the down stream sector of the aviation industry in Nigeria, described Mr Irukera’ s announcement as “a Christmas and new year gift” to travel agents who have borne the backlash of the fare hike by Airlines operating in Nigeria.

“This is it, and we want to appreciate Mr. President, for gifting us an FCCPC, headed by a thorough professional, and to this end, we will endeavour to help the regulatory authority with whatever information that can help bring back sanity to fare management issues and give some respite to our Nigerian customers.

Babatunde Irukera on Thursday in Abuja, while hosting the press to the end of year party, promised to run a detailed investigation into the high airfare regime in Nigeria, noting that as important as that may sound, it is however a difficult task determining price hikes, particularly airfare.

He explained further, ” There’s a provision in law against price gouging. Nigeria is a free market economy where the buyer and seller agrees to determine cost. Do we, as a regulator, have the power to impose price? No, we don’t. So one way to determine excessive pricing is through investigation.

The FCCPC boss revealed in his usual detailed presentation, that forensic studies in airfare pricing remained the most complex in the market investigation ecosystem, adding that it’s possible to travel at a short distance and pay more, even with someone sitting beside you, paying something different.

Describing the phenomenon as a “competition issue,” Mr. Irukera noted that there are many issues that must be considered when investigating hikes on airfare.

“We believe that airfare in Nigeria is too high, but it will amount to an abuse of office by the regulatory authority to take action just because we feel the price is high. Our duty is to establish evidence and confront the body, and that’s hard work.” Mr Babatunde Irukera clarified.

News

Pensioners’ Welfare: Govenor Adeleke Approves N3.3bn for Retirees

Published

41 mins ago

October 4, 2024

Eric

The Governor of Osun State, His Excellency, Senator Dr Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, has again approved a whopping sum of Three billion, Three hundred naira only (#3,300,000,000.00) for the payment of accrued rights (bond certificates) of a number of workers who retired under the Contributory Pension Scheme across the State, according to a statement esigned by the Head of Service, Elder Ayanleye Aina.

Of the said amount amount, N1.5 billion is for retirees at the State level comprising Ministries, Departments, Agencies, secondary schools and tertiary institutions while the sum of #1.8bn is for those who retired in the local government service, junior and primary schools across the State.

The statement noted that the approved fund is presently undergoing due process at the Bureau of Public Service Pension and the Local Government Staff Pension Board.

The approval, the statement further disclosed, is apart from the regular monthly payment of pension and gratuities to retired public servants under the old pension scheme across the whole gamut of the public service.

It will be recalled that workers and pensioners welfare top the 5- point Action Plan of Governor Ademola Adeleke-led administration in the State.

Stakeholders admit that Governor Adeleke been keeping his promise since he came on board in November, 2022 going by his unhindered love for public servants and the entire citizens of the State.

News

We’re Winning War Against Bandits, Terrorists, Says Tinubu’s Minister

Published

1 hour ago

October 4, 2024

Eric

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; said on Thursday that Nigeria is winning the war against terror and banditry.

Idris made the claim during the opening ceremony of the 1st Annual International Lecture of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja

He said: “Our target is to eliminate all the threats of Boko Haram, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and the scourge of all forms of violent extremism.

“Within one year, our government has eliminated Boko Haram and bandit commanders faster than ever.

“As of the last count, over 300 Boko Haram and bandit commanders have been eliminated by our gallant troops in the Northeast, Northwest, and some other parts of the country.

“Indeed, this quote from President Bola Tonibu has amplified the resolve and determination of this administration to address the security challenges confronting us.

“By understanding the root causes, evaluating the impact on our territorial integrity, and implementing strategic policy measures, we can effectively address the challenges posed by this crisis.”

The minister pointed out that the Federal government through intelligence gathering and other grassroots measures is tackling insecurity.

News

Court Releases Ex-Taraba Governor, Darius Ishaku on N150m Bail

Published

20 hours ago

October 3, 2024

Eric

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has granted a N150 million bail to a former governor of Taraba State, Darius Ishaku.

Ishaku was arraigned on Monday alongside Bello Yero, former permanent secretary, bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs.

Both men are being prosecuted on a 15-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, conspiracy and conversion of public funds.

The defendants pleaded “not guilty” when all the charges were read to them.

At the court session on Thursday, the defendants’ respective counsels moved their bail applications.

Rotimi Jacobs, prosecution counsel, said he would not object since the defendants have been granted administrative bail.

Sylvanus Oriji, presiding judge, granted the bail application.

He held that the defendants must produce two sureties each in like sum. The two sureties must be responsible citizens of Nigeria and must be residents within the FCT, with verifiable office and residential addresses.

One of the sureties produced by each defendant must be a director in the civil service.

The defendants must not travel outside the country without the court’s permission and must deposit their travel documents to the court.

Ishaku, 70, was governor of Taraba from 2015 to 2023.

In July 2023, the EFCC invited the former governor over some financial transactions conducted during his spell in office. He was later released on bail.

On September 27, 2024, Ishaku and Yero were arrested and detained by the commission.