FG meets stakeholders to end aviation fuel scarcity

To reduce the hardship to travellers occasioned by the scarcity of aviation fuel, the Federal Government is already engaging stakeholders involved with the procurement and distribution of aviation fuel to ensure availability in earnest.

This is coming as the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has called on all passengers who are experiencing the attendant flight delays and cancellations arising from the scarcity of Aviation fuel to exercise restraint.

For two weeks now, passengers had been left stranded at most of the country’s aerodromes just as airlines too have difficulty in getting supply of the commodity.

This call is necessary due to reports of passengers’ rage and violence from some of the nation’s airports in the last few days. In some cases irate passengers have resorted to wanton destruction of certain facilities at the airports.

Spokesman for NCAA, Sam Adurogboye said the Regulatory Authority agrees absolutely with the passengers that the conditions of carriage on their  tickets must be upheld by the operating airlines.In other words, it is our statutory responsibility to ensure that passengers derive value for their money.

In addition,he said the NCAA is well primed to ensure that all aggrieved passengers’ complaints are professionally handled by our Consumer Protection Officers, adding that these includes flight cancellations,delays,missing baggage,denied boarding etc.

However,the Authority wishes to inform all passengers that it is well aware of the prevailing scarcity of Jet A1 which has inevitably led to flight cancellations and delays by the airlines.

The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has also taken cognizance of concerted  efforts being made  by the airlines to ensure that  all passengers are ferried without any hitches.

The Federal Government of Nigeria is already engaging all the stakeholders involved with the procurement and distribution of aviation fuel to ensure availability in earnest.

“All passengers are therefore enjoined to exercise caution while expressing their grievances as the airlines are grappling with the challenges thrown up by the non- availability of Jet A1.”

“On the other hand,the airline operators must ensure they adhere strictly to the Standard and Recommended Practices (SARPs) in their operations.Passengers must be informed of any development concerning their flights well ahead of time.