A policy analyst and Professor of Strategy and Development, Prof. Anthony Kila, has advised President Bola Tinubu to commence an independent public inquiry into Nigeria Air.
Kila, who is also a Commonwealth Institute Director, made the call in a statement in Lagos on Tuesday.
The Airline Operators of Nigeria, along with various aviation unions, on Friday, accused the former Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, of flouting the court order by inaugurating a new national carrier without following due process.
Kila explained that the inquiry should be targeted at examining and making public the conception, process negotiations, partnerships, expenses, and parties involved in the Nigeria Air project.
“Nigeria Air Project has generated too much controversy and has now become a source of public concern, rather than the laudable achievements it was supposed to achieve due to the way it has been handled so far.
“This is due to stakeholders alleging a series of malpractices and calling attention to an un-respected court pronouncement. Hence, the best institutional response to give in this circumstance is for the government to create an independent and authoritative public inquiry,” Kila said.
He added, “The inquiry will allow all those who have issues and questions about the Nigeria Air project to table their concerns and give those involved in the project the opportunity to respond.”
The policy analyst noted that the call is without fear or intimidation and that all interested Nigerians should know what really happened and what to expect from the project.
Kila also urged operators and other stakeholders to find ways of organising themselves into a visible force and ask the new government to shed light on the Nigeria Air project.
He further said that due action is expected from experts and stakeholders to request an independent and authoritative public inquiry into such a sensitive and important project.
Kila charged the Tinubu-led government to look into the issue as it is a test for the new administration.
The scholar said it would also give observers an informed insight into how the new administration wanted to treat experts and stakeholders in aviation and other sectors.
