Emmanuel OchayiIn a show of unwavering support, the leadership of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), led by Engineer Mudi Muhammad, made a passionate plea to the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to reinforce Arik Air’s fleet, positioning it for industry supremacy.
During a courtesy visit to AMCON’s headquarters in Abuja, Mohammad emphasized the critical role AMCON played in rescuing Arik from the brink of collapse seven years ago, lauding the corporation’s commitment to financial stability and asset management.
Speaking on behalf of NAAPE, Mohammad stated, “We are here today as an association to demonstrate our support to AMCON because, as insiders, we understand the significant contribution AMCON made to ensure that Arik did not die.
“If AMCON had not stepped in at the time they did, Arik would have ceased to exist a long time ago to join the growing list of airlines in the burial ground of Nigeria’s aviation industry.”
READ ALSO: AfDB Commits $1 Billion In African Youth For Climate Solutions
Mohammad continued, “As NAAPE, we know AMCON’s intervention in Arik about seven years ago was to protect the airline and save hundreds of us from losing our jobs. We can tell you categorically that in the last seven years of AMCON’s takeover of Arik, the airline has stood the test of time.”
While acknowledging AMCON’s efforts, the NAAPE Chairman stressed that Arik still faces various challenges. He appealed to AMCON’s management, led by Mr. Ahmed Lawan Kuru, to support Arik in expanding its fleet, foreseeing Arik’s resurgence as a dominant force in the aviation industry.
Mohammad added, “Arik is a great training ground for the aviation sector, which is critical to the growth of the Nigerian economy.”
Mohammad also expressed concerns that without further investments from AMCON, Arik could lose experienced pilots and engineers to foreign airlines, potentially tarnishing AMCON’s well-intentioned intervention.
He urged AMCON not to let Arik falter, emphasizing the airline’s role in job creation and its importance to the Nigerian economy.
In closing, the NAAPE Chairman stated, “Arik has a strong Nigerian brand name. We, therefore, as members of NAATE, are pleading with AMCON not to let Arik die because of the number of unemployment the death of Arik will add to the stressed economy, and the negative ripple effect that it would create in the country.”
Follow Us