Airline operators, under the aegis of Airlines Operators Committee (AOC), had written letters to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Agency (NCAA), Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) seeking payment of aviation charges in naira.
One of the letters states: “In view of the CBN directives on currency substitution and dollarisation of the Nigerian economy, we want to use this medium to advise you that all payments will henceforth be made in naira.
“In accordance to Section 15 of the CBN Act, which provides that the unit of the currency in Nigeria shall be the naira and also Section 20 sub-section 1 of the act provides that the currency note issued by the bank shall tender in Nigeria at their face value for the payment of any amount.
“Section 20 sub-section 5 provides that the person who refuses to accept the naira as a means of payment is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine and also six months imprisonment.
“In the wisdom of compliance and very difficult peculiar situation in the country, we have no other choice but to make all payments in naira. We hereby solicit for your understanding in this regard.”
In another letter to the FAAN, titled: “MMIA Infrastructural Deficiencies,” some categories of the facilities that needed instant attention were listed.
These include category 1: Baggage belt, Air-conditioning at the airport, Apron Depression, Avio bridges (Jetties), AVSEC Manpower, Equipment and Management, Elevator and Escalator, FAAN and Airlines Service Level Agreement (User Lease Agreement). Items listed under category 2: airport medical facilities, car park for staff, single exit point at the departure hall.
