FOREIGN FLIGHT WITHDRAWAL: Ondo Reps Hopeful, Felix Kehinde, Cautions FG, Urges NASS For Quick Intervention

Daily Metro News NG

Dr. Felix Kehinde (DFK), candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for Ondo East/West federal constituency in the 2023 elections, has called on the Federal Government to resolve the ongoing crisis in the aviation sector, saying the economic impact will be severe.

Kehinde equally urged the national assembly to speed up its interventions as he said the plan by foreign airlines operating into Nigeria to blacklist the country should the Federal Government fail to remit their over $600 million trapped in the Central Bank of Nigeria, will negatively affect the economy and put the country in bad light.

According to him, “Unfortunately Emirates airlines has said it is stopping operations into Nigeria effective September 1st, 2022 to protest its accrued revenue amounting to $85m stuck in the country. This is getting out of hand as no part of the economy policy seems to be working for Nigerians”

The UK-based physician and PDP House of Representatives candidate, advised the national assembly to treat with utmost commitment the matter between foreign airlines and Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ameliorate the sufferings of Nigerians who are traveling for business, study and vacation, among others.

He said government must consider the long and short term implications of its policies to avoid this type of crisis in the critical sectors.

“This is deeply concerning but not entirely shocking. This is a result of continuous mismanagement of the Nigerian economy over the last 7 years. The Federal Government must know this action will damage investor confidence and further send a signal that Nigeria is not open for business. We must resolve this before it gets out of hand” he said.

There are multiple reports that the crises caused by the blocked funds is forcing Nigerians to pay thrice for international flights compared to other countries to same destinations.