Victor EzejaDomestic airline operators under the auspices of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) on Monday pleaded with the Federal Government to be granted licence for the importation and distribution of aviation fuel, popularly called JetA1.
They argued that as end users of the product, they should be granted permission to penetrate the international market to source aviation fuel and distribute, lamenting that AON had been denied the right for a long time.
They made this submission during a courtesy call on the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, where they also asked the government for a dedicated line that will allow them access foreign exchange (forex) from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This, they said, will enable their members to meet their obligations to passengers.
The President of AON, Abdulmunaf Yunusa, who led the delegation to Keyamo’s office in Abuja, said the reason of the visit was to brief their host on challenges in the sector and proffer solutions, as well as congratulate him on his recent appointment as minister.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer of Top Brass Aviation, Roland Iyayi harped on the need to ensure the adequate supply of aviation fuel in the sector. He stated that AON had been denied the licence for a long time, adding that airline operators were the end users and should be granted permission to penetrate the market to source aviation fuel and distribute.
According to him, there is an urgent need to facilitate the liberalisation, procurement and distribution of JetA1 nationwide and allow AON to procure a licence for product importation and distribution and also an immediate review of industry multiple taxes, fees and charges.
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