Allen Onyema, the founder and CEO of Air Peace and vice president of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria, has urged President Bola Tinubu to form a committee to examine taxes and fees in the aviation industry, cautioning that high levies have played a role in the demise of multiple Nigerian airlines.
In an interview on Monday, Onyema said that some of the fees levied on airlines were onerous and unsustainable, especially the five percent passenger service charge that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority collects.
“One of the truths we want to tell Mr. President is regarding this five percent passenger charge collected by the NCAA,” stated Onyema. They will claim that passengers are responsible for paying when we talk, but we won’t accept that. NCAA gets five percent of the N100,000 I charge. We didn’t establish the company with them.
He encouraged the President to form an impartial commission made up of technocrats, aviation specialists, and business owners to review aviation taxes and levies. “We urge the President to establish a committee to study aviation taxes and levies. It is crucial to avoid giving the impression that we are deceiving the authorities.
These individuals, who should include independent specialists, technocrats, people with extensive aviation experience, and some of us from the company, should be chosen by the president. Numerous airlines in the nation have failed as a result of these taxes and fees, he claimed.
In response to persistent xenophobic violence against Nigerians and other foreigners, Onyema urged Nigerians to undertake an economic boycott of South Africa in addition to aviation.
He supported calls for South Africa to face consequences, but he opposed violence or retaliation against South African companies doing business in Nigeria. Onyema declared, “I totally agree that there should be a stop to foolishness,” criticizing South African authorities of not providing sufficient protection for foreigners amid instances of xenophobic violence.
“I don’t understand how South Africa suddenly lacks a police force, a military, and every security agency that could have stopped these people every time they do this and their government supports them.”
The head of Air Peace denounced claimed instances of harassment and profiling of foreigners. “How do you explain a scenario in which individuals would storm into someone’s home, drag them outside, and ask if they might view their documents? You must return home since you are a foreigner.
He claims that a large number of Nigerians who reside in South Africa have made substantial economic contributions as investors and employers. “What have they done?” inquired Onyema. What kind of work did you give him to operate a store?
“He founded a store in your nation with funds he brought from Nigeria in order to support both you and your nation. The best thing you could have done is pick up some entrepreneurship skills from these Nigerians.
Onyema warned against attacking South African-owned enterprises in Nigeria despite his criticism, pointing out that many Nigerians own investments in these businesses.
“I oppose Nigeria shutting down MTN or other businesses. Do Nigerians not own stock in those businesses? They are also Nigerians, after all. I don’t want that,” he said.
Rather, he called for a coordinated economic reaction and urged Nigerians to refrain from patronizing and investing in South Africa. “I urge Nigerians to boycott South Africa as a form of revenge. Are you aware of its meaning? South Africa should be boycotted. Avoid investing in that nation,” he said.
