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Virgin Nigeria Faces Fresh Crisis
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BY EMMA EKE
THERE are indications that the non-resolution of the debt profile of the former national carrier, Nigeria Airways and opposition by local operators would stall next month's commencement of local flight by Virgin Nigeria Airline (VGN)
Besides, contrary to its claim, the airline would only operate in the country as one of the local airlines and not as a national carrier, according to the new position reportedly handed down by the government to the promoters of VGN
The airline core investor and owner of Virgin Atlantic, Mr Richard Branson flew into the country last week in what a source described as "a visit to parley with and pacify interest groups, fighting VGN's take over of Nigeria Airways as a national carrier."
A senior staff of the new airline, who confirmed this to The Guardian said, "among the engagements of Branson in the country is reaching out to all stakeholders towards resolving any outstanding issue preparatory the maiden flight of the airline."
The source did not name the groups pencilled down for the meeting. However, it was learnt that the British business mogul was advised to "find a way of reaching out to all these interest groups to resolve all issues including those pending in courts."
This advised followed a 10-page petition addressed by the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to the Presidency on March 16, 2005, against Virgin Nigeria commencing flight operations using local routes.
It could not be ascertained as at press time how far Branson had gone in his intended discussion with major players in the country's aviation industry. Captain Mohammed Joji, the AON secretary general, in a phone conversation at the weekend, said his organisation had no information that Branson was to meet with its leadership.
"All we read in the papers is that he came into the country with the members of his family. He is entitled to visit the country, just like anybody is welcomed to any other country," he said
On the effect of AON petition against Virgin Nigeria, Joji said: "At least, we are glad that President Olusegun Obasanjo has taken cognisance of the vital issues raised, going by some positive actions he had taken so far on it."
While disclosing his mission to Nigeria, Branson said that he here to fine-tune the early take-off of VNA, which he said, has plans to cover six international routes between now and end of the year.
He also said that his business interests in the country would cover investment in the Vmobile, one of the Global Systems of Mobile Communications (GSM) operators in the country
Not to be left out Branson's meet-the-people tour of the country is the Nigeria Airways unresolved debt burden estimated at more than N40 billion.
A document obtained at the office of the Nigeria Airways-in-Liquidation listed a debt profile of the former national carrier with the various claimants. Among the corporate organisations and individuals, who reportedly made claims in local and foreign currencies is the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), which demands about N843.98 million, £215,000 and $8.973 million.
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) claims about N433.72 million, $92,589; NICON about N1.98 billion and $320,360; and the Lagos State Government owed more than N10.6 million
The highest lump sum of about N5.1 billion is owed to individuals, who handled contracts for the Airways while in operation
But Mr. S.L. Animasaun, the leader of a coalition of the workers' unions, said the amount being mentioned by the liquidator did not include an estimated N10 billion, covering all entitlements of workers of the moribund Airways.
In the interim, the legal adviser to the Nigeria Airways workers, Mr Bayo Bamibigbe, doubted the possibility of Virgin Nigeria commencing its operations as scheduled.
According to him: "Part of the agreement reached with the Virgin Atlantic was that it would inherit both the assets and liabilities of the former national carrier, to a certain percentage, before it could operate with its (Nigeria Airways) WT call sign."
He maintained that "from the look of things, there is no way VNA could effectively function without first of all clearing the outstanding debts as they affect its take-over of the national carrier."
However, Minister of Aviation, Alhaji Isa Yuguda said that with the appointment of a liquidator, all issues of indebtedness would be sorted out when the body made a final recommendation |
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