Stranded pilgrims probe: Reps issue 24 hour ultimatum to Aviation Minister

The House of Committee on Aviation on Monday issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Hadi Sirika, Minister of State for Aviation to appear before it, to explain the rationale behind the delay in the airlifting of Nigerian pilgrims from Saudi Arabia.

Nkiruika Onyejeocha, chairman, House Committee on Aviation issued the notice during the probe of the circumstances that led to the inability Ethiopia Airlines from conveying pilgrims who participated in the 2017 Hajj operations to Nigeria as scheduled.

The lawmakers who expressed displeasure over the Minister’s absence at the public, however declined to attend to other stakeholders including: Muktar Usman, Director General of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Ethiopian Airlines representatives who were invited to the public hearing.

To this end, the Committee urged Sabiu Zakari, Permanent Secretary of Federal Ministry of Aviation, who represented the Minister to convey the new date and time to the Minister.

Onyejeocha who read the House resolution to those present underscored the significance of the investigation and the need for the Minister’s presence during the exercise.

“The resolution says we should invite the minister and now the minister is not here. I’ve discussed with the members of the committee and we have resolved that the meeting cannot move on because the minister is not here.

“The permanent secretary should convey the decision to the minister that the meeting is serious because by Thursday we must revert back to the House. It’s not something we can decide without the authorities being here,” she said.

The Minister, NCAA and Ethiopian Airlines were summoned in line with the resolution passed last week Thursday, sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by Zakari Mohammed (APC-Kwara).

The lawmaker during the debate frowned at over one week delay and disrespectful behavior towards Nigerians and other nationals from Saudi Arabia to Nigeria by Ethiopian Airlines.

He lamented that the Airline left Nigerians stranded in Jeddah for over one week with most running out of funds to survive.

Mohammed informed the House that the airline refused to offer a reasonable explanation for the delay in violation of Article 2 of Ethiopian Airlines passenger commitment and made reservations for three persons to occupy one hotel room in overnight delays again, in violation of Article 11 of the Ethiopian Airlines passenger commitment published on their website.

 

KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja