Aviation Stakeholders Urge Reps To Probe 5% Ticket Sales Charge, Seek NCAA DG’s Resignation
The National Aviation Stakeholders Forum (NASF) has called on the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation to expand its ongoing public hearing on the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge (TSC) into a comprehensive investigation of the collection, remittance and utilisation of the funds.
The forum, comprising aviation experts and consultants, made the call in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Engr. Yahaya Yusuf, on Monday.
NASF said the recent industrial action by aviation unions, which disrupted flight operations and left passengers stranded, had underscored the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of the TSC.
The group urged the House committee to obtain records of TSC collections and remittances from airlines, determine outstanding liabilities, examine enforcement measures against defaulting operators and review how funds received by aviation agencies had been utilised.
According to the forum, the investigation should go beyond determining how the five per cent charge is shared among aviation agencies.
It said Nigerians deserved to know the amount collected, the amount remitted by airlines and how the funds had been spent.
NASF also advocated the introduction of a transparent, technology-driven system capable of tracking ticket sales, TSC collections and remittances in real time.
It said such a system would help eliminate loopholes, strengthen accountability and prevent disputes over the charge from escalating into disruptions of flight operations.
The forum further maintained that passengers should not suffer the consequences of disagreements between aviation agencies, airlines and unions.
It noted that flight operations were significantly disrupted last week following the industrial action by aviation unions before interventions by the Federal Government and the National Assembly restored normal operations.
Beyond the TSC probe, NASF called for the resignation of the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Capt. Chris Najomo, citing what it described as regulatory failures and poor handling of issues that contributed to the industrial action.
Yusuf said the recent disruption had raised concerns about the NCAA’s ability to effectively regulate the sector and prevent crises.
“Leadership is about preventing crises, not merely responding after flights have been grounded,” he said, adding that the forum believed fresh leadership was needed at the NCAA.
NASF, however, commended the National Assembly for engaging stakeholders on the TSC sharing formula and urged lawmakers to ensure that the outcome of the process would promote transparency, accountability and sustainable funding for Nigeria’s aviation agencies.
The forum also stressed the need for measures that would prevent future disputes within the sector from affecting passengers and disrupting air travel across the country.
