The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr Chris Ndulue

  • Debt: Arik Air resumes claims payment of N18.9bn to FAAN

    Debt: Arik Air resumes claims payment of N18.9bn to FAAN

    Arik Air on Thursday claimed that it had paid a total sum of N18.9 billion to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) from January 2007 till date.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Managing Director of Arik Air, Mr Chris Ndulue, made the claim while briefing aviation correspondents in Lagos.

     

    NAN reports that the airline’s operations at the Murtala Muhammed Airport were disrupted on Wednesday by aviation unions and some FAAN workers, over its alleged N12.5 billion indebtedness to the agency.

     

    However, Ndulue, while apologising to the airline’s passengers for the inconveniences caused by the development, confirmed that Arik Air had resumed both domestic and international operations.

     

    He noted that it was very strange that while the airline’s records showed the payment of N18.9 billion, FAAN claimed that it received only N11.4 billion.

     

    According to him, every efforts have been made over the years to reconcile the disputed figures, including the setting up of a ministerial committee by the former Permanent Secretary of the aviation ministry, Mrs Binta Bello.

     

    Ndulue said while the committee was still trying to resolve the issue, FAAN instituted a suit against the airline in October 2015 at the Federal High Court, Lagos.

     

    He said FAAN again informed the court on Feb.3, 2016 that parties should be allowed to explore an amicable resolution to the dispute by appointing an independent auditor, to reconcile the figures.

     

    “So the issue of whether Arik Air is indebted or not to FAAN has been put before a competent court in a suit initiated by the agency.

     

    “For FAAN to resort to self-help or by its staff is an affront on the Federal High Court and the Nigerian State.

     

    “A situation whereby staff of FAAN and union members turn themselves into debt collection agents, on behalf of the Federal Government is absurd,” Ndulue said.

     

    Also speaking, the Chairman of Arik Air, Mr Arumemi Ikhide, confirmed that the airline’s management had met with the Minister of State for Aviation, Capt. Hadi Sirika, over the unions’ action.

     

    “We are prepared and want to pay for services rendered, but we will not be bullied. What happened yesterday (Wednesday) is not good for the image of the country,’’ he added.

  • Nigerian Army remains a strong force – COAS

    Nigerian Army remains a strong force – COAS

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai has described the Nigerian Army has as a force to be reckoned with at all times.

    The Army Chief made this assertion when the Republic of Netherlands Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Colonel Eric Adriaan de Landmeter paid him a courtesy visit at the Army Headquarters.

    Thanking the Defence Attaché for the visit, Buratai emphasized that the two countries have been participating in Peace Support Operations for a long time.

    He stated that the Multinational Joint Task Force has commenced operation, adding that troops contributing countries are expected to operate within their territories as well as assuring the Defence Attaché of the Nigerian Army’s determination to end Boko Haram activities soon.

    He further stated that Netherlands is a country with good innovations in many areas and commended them for expressing concern on the current security challenges facing the nation.

    Earlier, the Defence Attaché thanked the COAS for the audience despite short notice and commended the Nigerian Army for their effort in the current fight against insurgency.

    He further stated that his country was interested in what is happening in Nigeria, stressing that the Netherlands have the capacity to offer specialty in many areas in the country especially with the current security challenges facing the country.

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  • Arik loses $9m to aviation fuel scarcity

    Arik loses $9m to aviation fuel scarcity

    The scarcity of aviation fuel has taken a huge toll on airline operations with Arik Air declaring on Friday that it has lost an estimated $9million since last week due to disruptions in its operations.

    Addressing reporters at its headquarters at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos, the airline Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue, said the management has put contingency plans in place to ensure the company does not shut down its operations because of the situation.

    Ndulue said the airline now flies to neighbouring countries in West and Central Africa to source for aviation fuel at a ridiculously high rate to sustain its operations.

    He said Arik Air now flies to Ghana, Cameroon and Benin Republic to source for aviation fuel.

    According to him, if the fuel situation does not improve the airline may not operate flights, as the alternate arrangement is costing the airline much money with the attendant inconveniences to passengers.

    He said, “For over one week now, aviation fuel scarcity has impacted negatively on our flight operations. It has become very bad that we have to scale down our flights gradually. In the last one week it has become increasingly difficult to sustain our operations owing largely to scarcity of aviation fuel.

    “Getting fuel to fly to our international destinations has become extremely expensive, because we have to source fuel from Kano, Cotonou , Cameroon and Accra to sustain our operations .

    “Because of the huge quantity of fuel averaging about 800,000 litres needed daily for our wide body aircraft, it is becoming very difficult to operate effectively.

    “If the situation does not improve in the coming days, we may not return to normal flight operations.”

     

  • Arik Air sponsors Centenary celebration

    Arik Air sponsors Centenary celebration

    Arik Air has announced that it is playing a key role in the country’s Centenary Celebrations as an Associate Sponsor of the Centenary Pageant.

    The world-class pageant is aimed at promoting the Centenary celebrations, which marks the amalgamation of southern and northern Nigeria by Lord Lugard in 1914.

    According to the spokesman of the airline, Mr Banji Ola, an agreement was signed last week between Arik Air and AOE Events and Entertainment Limited, the company okayed by The Federal Government of Nigeria to handle the Centenary Pageant.

    Arik Air Managing Director/Executive Vice President, Mr Chris Ndulue, said: “Arik Air is honoured to be invited to play a key role in Nigeria’s Centenary celebrations. This partnership further underscores our commitment to the people of Nigeria to deliver new standards in aviation and promote that which is truly Nigerian.”

     

    AOE Events’ Creative Director, Chief Nike Oshinowo said: “This unique window, Nigeria’s Centenary Pageant, affords Arik Air the opportunity of projecting its brand in this once in a lifetime competition. Nigeria’s Centenary Pageant would take place once every One Hundred Years. This makes the Centenary Queen the most sought after title in the history of pageants in Africa.”