NAMA issues ultimatum to debtor airlines, sets Feb 28 deadline

• Begin massive revenue drive

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) has given a 30-day final demand notice to debtor airlines and private /state owned airports to settle all outstanding debts owed to the agency.

The agency in a statement made available to journalists also threatened to ground debtor airlines from February 28th, 2020 as NAMA set to embark on massive revenue recovery said to be in the region of N10b.

Woleshadarenews exclusively reported yesterday the plan by the airspace agency to recover its funds by denying ‘Recalcitrant operator’ permission to fly which could lead to grounding of their airplanes.

Spokesman for NAMA, Mr. Khalid Emene disclosed that the affected debtors had earlier been communicated with details of their respective indebtedness to NAMA but have made no tangible effort to pay.

The said notice read in part, “NAMA hereby notifies debtor private /state owned airport operators and airlines that effective  February 28th, 2020, our services will no longer be available for the operation of their airports or airlines as the agency can no longer keep its personnel working at airports without payment.”

Emene stated that the affected debtors, where in doubt have been advised to liaise with the commercial department of NAMA for reconciliation and/ or clarification within the stipulated grace period.

But for international airlines that pay for navigational assistance and over fliers, NAMA would have been in more serious financial mess as most domestic airlines are all guilty of not paying their bills.

NAMA provides very critical services fundamental to flight operations including air traffic control, visual and non-visual aids, aeronautical telecommunication services that enhance commercial, private and military aircraft flying in and out of Nigeria’s airspace.

It owes its retired staff about N15 billion which accumulated over the years and with dwindling revenues due to these debts, it finds it difficult to carry out its obligation as internally generated revenue dependent agency. The agency remits 25 per cent of its earnings to the federation account.

Ojikutu called for review of sharing ratio that is giving 58 per cent of tickets sales to the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for doing, ‘nothing’ whereas an agency like NAMA saddled with massive deployment of airspace infrastructure gets lesser.

His words: “NAMA should not get less than 40 per cent of the ticket sales. This is the reason it can’t maintain some of its navigational equipment. Domestic airlines don’t pay navigational charges. If international airlines were not paying, they would have been in a more dire situation.”

NAMA generates its own resources and funds most of its projects from internally generated revenue and only gets assistance from the Federal Government when the projects are beyond its capacity.

Many contractors that had delivered goods or offered critical services to the agency are seen coming to check when their monies would be paid as they are constantly told, “There is no money” or “we don’t have money”. This, they said, have become the sing song of the agency in recent times.