N5bn aviation palliatives: Govt. is not fair to the industry- Mshelia, Westlink airline boss

The recent N5bn palliative given to the country’s aviation industry has been described as insensitive and not the best to the industry.

Speaking with Gentechnews, the Chairman of West link airlines, Capt Ibrahim Mshelia explained that the government was ill advised to have given the aviation sector such an insignificant amount.

According to Mshelia N5bn was not up to $9m dollars saying it was better to return it to the government adding that there were so many aviation service providers including catering services among others.

He queried what will be the modalities of sharing money among those in the sector noting that the money cannot pay the salaries of airline workers in the country. “I don’t know those who advised government to release such fund”

Mshelia explained that government ought to have given loans to airlines stand as guarantor and ensure that airlines pay back with the stipulated period adding defaults should be penelized.

He said there was nothing to cheer about on the palliatives in a sector that was generating revenue on its own and not depending on government.