News
Reps Halt 150% Hike On Ground Charges For Airlines
The House of Representatives has directed the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and Aviation Ground Handlers Association of Nigeria (AGHAN) to put on hold, an approved increase of 150per cent ground rates for airlines operating in the country.
The Chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, Hon Nnolim Nnaji(PDP-Enugu), gave the order at an investigative session with the NCAA, AGHAN, Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON and International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Earlier in the session, Nnolim had said, “We invited them to look at this and see what will come out of it. People have started flying and we don’t want a situation where we will get into trouble. If the ground charges are increased, flights will drop and it will affect the industry.
“We know that there is a need to increase or reduce, but decisions on issues like this, cannot be taken in isolation. It is the DG of the NCAA, that was supposed to speak on this issue, but since he is not here, we will talk with the directors”.
He, however, later added that “for now, let us maintain the status quo(there shouldn’t be a hike)”.
The hearing was adjourned to next Wednesday for further deliberations on the matter.
Earlier in his submission, on behalf of the President of AON, Alhaji Abdulmunaf Yunusa Sarina; the President of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyema; kicked against the hike, insisting that it was unacceptable to airlines.
He stated in part that, “The Airline Operators of Nigeria(AON), is deeply concerned by the potential impact the recent approval granted by the Ministry of Aviation and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), to Ground Handling Service Providers, to increase Ground Handling Charges, will have on the air transport industry and the nation at large.
“The new ground handling charges, which are expected to take effect from October 1, 2021, for international flights and January 1, 2022, for domestic flights, have been increased by an astronomical margin of between 100per cent and 1,200per cent.
“Put into perspective, international ground handling charges which used to be $400 are now $5,000 depending on the aircraft type. Also, domestic ground handling charges which used to be from N10,000 pee flight will now increase to between N20,000 and N70,000 depending on aircraft type.
“Sir, while the Ground Handling Companies May have their argument why they believe such an increase is necessary, we are of the opinion that the timing is rather ill-timed and unfortunate in the light of the fact that the aviation industry is barely trying to find its footing and is yet to recover from the negative impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic which continues to ravage the industry globally”.
He lamented that, “Airlines ordinarily are, as of today, burdened with over 37 multiple taxes, charges and levies inflicted on them by various government agencies. And this already puts airlines in a very difficult situation”.
According to him, “while airlines are finding a way to get the government to streamline these multiple taxes and ease the pressure on Nigerian travellers in order to jumpstart the economy, the recent increase in ground handling charges, will only serve to inflict additional pains and increase cost on the airlines as well, as the Nigerian passengers whose disposable income, have been stretched to an elastic limit.
“The Ground Handling Companies seems to be insensitive to the plight of the Nigerian travelling public in view of the fact that this additional cost, will end up being passed on to the customers who have already reached their elastic limit because of the harsh economic situation”.
Mr Samson Fatokun, who spoke on behalf of IATA, also kicked against the planned hike, as he decried that airlines, were already “In Survival Mode, due to devastating Covid-19 impact”.
He told the committee, that revenue from the industry “Dropped by 66% in 2020 vs 2019 in Nigeria”, as according to him, “domestic and foreign airlines are facing restricted access to Foreign Exchange, as $171million airline funds are blocked in Nigeria”.
He also told the committee that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), increased has also imposed “Passenger Service Charge by 100per cent in 2020”, in the face of “inadequate Airport Infrastructure”.
Fatokun recommenced that the stakeholders should “Allow time for bilateral negotiations between individual airlines and Ground Handling Companies”.
Vice President of AGHAN, Ahmed Bashir Gulmah, who spoke on behalf of his President, Mr Olaniyi Adigun, insisted that the hike was justified.
According to him, “The last one handling rates were reviewed in Nigeria, was in 1986 about 35 years ago! This was at a time when the United States dollar was 80k, but today, as we all know, a dollar is over N412”.
The association requested “the cooperation of the National Assembly (Committee on Aviation) to support and favourably consider the new safety threshold handling rates, which will take effect from October 1, 2021, for international operations and January 1, 2021, for domestic operators”.
This reaffirms the lawmakers’ commitment to enacting laws and taking legislative actions geared towards the overall development of the State.
The Assembly gave the approval during its Second Legislative Sitting of the Fourth Session held last Friday.
Speaking on the MTEF document during plenary, the House Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Amaewhule, noted that by the provision of Section 10(1)(b) of the Rivers State Fiscal Responsibility Law No. 8 of 2010, the MTEF ought to have been laid before the House in September 2025.
Amaewhule explained that traditionally, the document is expected to be presented four months before the commencement of the next financial year and immediately after the expiration of every three-year fiscal cycle.
He, however, stated that in the interest of the State and its people, the House considered it necessary to deliberate on the document, describing it as a precursor to the 2026 Budget Estimates.
The Speaker expressed concern that the year had already progressed significantly before the presentation of the framework.
During deliberations on the document, members examined the assumptions and projections contained in the MTEF and observed that strict adherence to the outlined fiscal parameters would ultimately serve the interest of Rivers people.
The lawmakers maintained that effective implementation of the framework would promote prudent financial management and enhance developmental planning across the State.
Following the debate and positive consideration by members, the Speaker put the question to the House and members voted overwhelmingly in support of the approval of the MTEF.
Meanwhile, during the same sitting last Friday, the House also received a petition from the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr. Gift Worlu.
The petition was presented by the member representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Emilia Amadi.
According to the petition, concerns were raised over an imminent security breach, threats to lives, destruction of property and alleged forceful takeover of property by some lawless persons within parts of the Local Government Area.
Presenting the petition before the House, Hon. Amadi appealed to the lawmakers to revisit the matter and take necessary steps aimed at safeguarding lives and property in the affected communities.
The House is expected to further deliberate on the petition and consider measures to address the concerns raised in order to sustain peace and security in the area.
King Onunwor
News
Fubara Reaffirms Commitment To Blue Economy, Private Sector Growth …Calls For Protection Of Marine Resources
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, made this known during the opening ceremony of the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Conference of the Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), held in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, Governor Fubara described the conference theme, “The Gulf of Guinea and Blue Economy: Pathways to Trade, Investment and Security Towards a $1 Trillion Economy,” as both timely and strategic.
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?The governor welcomed the leadership of NACCIMA, delegates from the 115 Chambers of Commerce across Nigeria, members of the diplomatic corps, captains of industry, investors, and other distinguished guests to Rivers State.
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?He commended the National President of NACCIMA, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, for choosing Rivers State as the host of the 2026 conference, noting that the decision had drawn national attention to the immense economic opportunities embedded in the blue economy.
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?Fubara stated that the blue economy possesses the capacity to generate revenue that could surpass earnings from the oil and gas sector if properly developed and managed.
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?He stressed the need for Nigeria and other countries along the Gulf of Guinea to take deliberate steps toward maximizing the benefits of their maritime resources while guarding against the continued exploitation of coastal assets by foreign operators.
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?Expressing concern over the activities of foreign fishing trawlers operating in Nigerian waters, the governor noted that many harvest seafood resources without making meaningful economic contributions to the country.
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?He emphasized the need for stronger monitoring mechanisms and enhanced protection of Nigeria’s marine resources.
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?”We must wake up and hit the ground running. If we do not capitalize on and utilize our blue economy, other nations will utilize it for us,” he stated.
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?The governor thanked NACCIMA for what he described as a timely wake-up call on the importance of the blue economy and maritime security, adding that the successful hosting of the conference in Rivers State demonstrates the state’s safety, hospitality, and readiness for business and investment.
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?Earlier in his remarks, the President of NACCIMA, Engr. Jani Ibrahim, expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government for hosting the 66th Annual General Conference of the Association and for the warm reception accorded delegates.
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?He noted that the state’s commitment to hosting the conference reflects its readiness for business and has helped restore investors’ confidence in its economic potential.
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?According to him, NACCIMA highly values the cordial relationship between the Rivers State Government and the organized private sector, emphasizing that the association remains the foremost voice of the Nigerian business community.
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?In her welcome address, the President of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Dr. Chinyere Nwoga, described the conference as a historic milestone, noting that it was the first time in the Chamber’s 66-year history that it was hosting the national body of NACCIMA.
Nwoga commended the national leadership for entrusting PHCCIMA with the hosting rights and pledged the Chamber’s continued commitment to advancing the objectives of the association and promoting sustainable economic growth through private sector engagement.
Fubara gave the order during his visit to the site of the collapsed building last Thursday to assess the situation.
He said the site will remain “completely sealed off” until the government gets to the “root cause” of the incident.
He described the incident as unfortunate but observed that preliminary investigation had shown that the developer had earlier refused to subject his site to inspection by the state authorities and comply with the necessary building regulations.
The governor, who inspected the site alongside the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Sir Amairigha Edward Hart, and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Dabite Sokari George, explained that he couldn’t visit the site the previous day because he was awaiting formal briefing from the relevant agency of government on the situation.
“We’re here to see for ourselves the very unfortunate incident that took place here. I didn’t come yesterday because I wanted to get the report first, and the Commissioner did brief me that the incident site, first, is not as claimed by the developer, that it’s not under the jurisdiction of the state; that it’s under the jurisdiction of the Federal Housing Authority.
“He also informed me that when the project was ongoing, they came here severally to inspect what was happening and also to see the level of compliance. But unfortunately, that the developer kept claiming that we don’t have any right to interfere,” he said.
Fubara said that the issue was no longer about interference but about the life lost to the building collapse and the collateral damage brought upon the family of the deceased.
He extended condolences to the families of the victims, insisting that the incident could have been avoided if the developer had complied with the rules guiding the engineering design and construction of such a structure in the 21st century.
“We feel very sorry and very regretful that such an incident should be happening in this 21st century because technology has advanced, engineering has developed. I wonder what kind of engineer would even allow this kind of project to go on when everything about it from inception has been faulty.
“I think that at this point, nothing is going to happen on this site any more. We are going to make sure that this place is completely sealed off until we get to the root cause of this incident,” the governor said.
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