Headlines
Price of Jet Fuel Rises Further in Nigeria, Hurting Airlines
By Derrick Bangura
Many Nigerian airlines were shocked on Thursday when they were informed by oil marketers that aviation fuel had risen from N500 per litre to N680 per litre.
Owing to this, airline operators have expressed fear that their operations would be squeezed due to high cost of the product, which is now over 60 per cent of their cost of operation.
The marketers published the new prices as follows: Lagos, N600 per litre, Abuja, N650 per litre and Kano N680 per litre.
But the Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) which is billed to meet today, hinted that airlines might not pass the high cost of aviation fuel to their customers, but could decide to take the matter to government.
A top official of one of the airlines told THISDAY that despite the resolution reached by industry stakeholders in March, that the price of fuel be pegged at N500, pending the determination of a substantive uniform price, the fuel marketers decided to increase the price to N680.
The official told THISDAY that willy-nilly some airlines might not be able to meet up with the price increase because many of them are still recovering from the very low passenger traffic in the first quarter of 2022, adding that the services of many of the domestic carriers would be impacted negatively and many airlines might have no choice than to shut down as they threatened to do in March because they would not be able to cope with the high cost of operations.
The Head of Communication of Dana Air, Kingsley Ezenwa told THISDAY that AON would be meeting today to deliberate over the increase.
He, however, expressed optimism that the airlines would not pass the increase to their customers but would reach out to government and marketers for the downward review of the new prices.
“For now we have not taken any decision. We just find a way to engage the marketers and the government on the ways to solve this problem. We don’t want to push it to the flying public. Everything will continue normally. There is yet no official statement but the impact on our operations will be too much to bear and that is more reason why airlines want to engage government and marketers to find ways to resolve this. It is a big issue. AON needs to step action and engage the government. We want everybody to fly,” Ezenwa said.
During one of the meetings held in March at the instance of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, the AON threatened to shut down operations over the non-availability of aviation fuel for their airplanes, as fuel marketers gave reasons why they hiked the pieces.
AON had told the lawmakers then that due to the increase in price of fuel and its unavailability, its members won’t be able to sustain their operations and condemned the marketers for refusing to disclose the actual amount they buy aviation fuel per litre.
Currently the base fare of 45 minutes to a one-hour flight is N50, 000, which air travellers described as exorbitant, prompting many tavellers to shun the airports and there are indications that any increase to that base fare would further reduce passenger traffic at the airports.
President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday arrived in Katsina to receive the remains of the former President Muhammadu Buhari, who passed away in London on Sunday at the age of 82.
Just hours before the burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari, heartfelt tributes have continued to pour in from beneficiaries of his many charitable deeds, with many describing him as a man who never turned his back on the needy.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday, Aminu Daura, a respected community elder, recalled how Buhari consistently provided foodstuffs during Ramadan for families, friends, widows, and orphans in his hometown.
“He never made noise about it, but many homes had food on their tables during fasting period because of him,” Daura said.
Abdullahi Sani, a physically-challenged man who received a tricycle from the Buhari Foundation in 2021, was overcome with emotion while speaking to NAN.
“I can move around and feed my family today because of Baba Buhari. I pray to Allah to reward him for giving hope to people like me,” he said, in tears.
Hajiya Fatima Yahaya, another resident, remembered Buhari’s acts of kindness during festive seasons.
“Even after he left office, his aides ensured that the usual support still reached us every year. He always remember his people,” she said, referring to his distribution of Sallah rams and food items to indigent families during Eid celebrations.
Other residents of Daura also shared memories of how the late former president quietly paid school fees and medical bills for struggling families, actions rarely publicized.
“Some of us benefited from his silent interventions. He was a true father and a great figure in the society,” said Ali Saidu.
On Monday night, Imams across various mosques in Daura held special Qur’anic recitations, praying for the forgiveness of Buhari’s sins and his eternal peace.
The Chief Imam of Daura Central Mosque, Sheikh Musa Kofar Barau, described Buhari as a humble leader whose legacy of service and compassion would remain alive in the hearts of the people.
Buhari is scheduled to be buried later on Tuesday in his hometown of Daura, Katsina State, in line with Islamic rites. The community is bracing to welcome thousands of mourners from across Nigeria and beyond.
His Majesty King Mohammed VI of Morocco has extended heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, and the entire Nigerian people following Buhari’s death.
In a message of sympathy, the Moroccan monarch described the passing of the former Nigerian leader as a “sad occurrence,” expressing deep sorrow over the loss.
King Mohammed VI hailed Buhari as “an illustrious leader who worked untiringly to serve his country’s best interests and lead his people toward further progress and prosperity.”
He added: “Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the bereaved. I share your grief and want you to know how much I appreciated the working sessions I had with the deceased.”
Reflecting on their bilateral engagements, the king noted that his collaboration with Buhari led to the launch of promising development projects, “ushering a new era grounded in friendship and close cooperation between our two sister nations.”
Tinubu arrives Katsina to receive Buhari’s body for burial
“He Never Turned His Back on the Needy” — Tributes Pour In Ahead of Buhari’s Burial
King Mohammed VI Mourns Buhari, Praises Legacy of Nigeria’s Former Leader
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