Nigerians have vented their anger on the Federal Government over the suspension of the Nigeria Air project.
The Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, had relayed the suspension of the project in a tweet via his Twitter handle @hadisirika around 5:41pm yesterday without providing a reason for the suspension.
His tweet reads: “I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim. All commitments due will be honoured. We thank the public for the support as always.”
I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim. All commitments due will be honoured. We thank the public for the support as always.????????????
— Hadi Sirika (@hadisirika) September 19, 2018
However, many Nigerians who responded to the tweet demanded to know the reason for the suspension even as some of them said they were vindicated that the foundation of the project was faulty in the first instance.
As at 12:30pm today, the Minister’s tweet had garnered 1, 657 retweets, over 1,535 likes and over 1,100 reactions from Nigerians home and abroad.
Below are some of the reactions from Nigerians:
After spending millions of naira for logo and all of that. Weren’t all that in consideration before the London unveiling event? And u lied that an order has been placed already for new aircrafts
— Kelvin. Igwe (Esq.) (@IgweOfficial) September 19, 2018
No, I disagree.
If he assertively declared “aircrafts have already been purchased” on national media, that’s beyond what the pple merely wanted to hear, bro.
Except a refund wld be made, we shld be asking these pertinent questions!
— Basil Onome (@bpintemi) September 19, 2018
TBH, I’m not angry or surprised, I just wonder how such individuals can utter such (deception) in front of an entire nation & still sleep at night!
There was no pressure, development is not a competition.
Surely, no be ordinary eye dem take dey do these things… pic.twitter.com/0eweksM3b8
— Basil Onome (@bpintemi) September 19, 2018
Kindly apologize to @obyezeks for all the insults @OfficialAPCNg @NGRPresident, BMC and Buharideens hauled at her while predicting this eventual outcome. Her years of experience on government policy exonerated her.
— Wilfred Iyke N. (@wilfrik) September 19, 2018
Very unfortunate news wailers tell us our government is full of lies & we stand to defend the government & here you are telling us National career is suspended I don’t knw hw I will look into the eyes of the wailers because is something they tell us since from the very first day.
— Abdullahi Zarma Omar ?? (@ZaxmaOmar) September 19, 2018
So you wasted 1.5bn on your ego trip? Could have been funny if not for the money you wasted. #Weytheonebillion https://t.co/U0PvxgkqRe
— Ayobami (@dondekojo) September 19, 2018
This is really embarrassing and disappointing. You cannot just tweet this without the reason. The wish of “It Must Fail” still won’t come to pass. A proud and die hard Buharist I remain.
— AjiBola LIYIDE (@ajibolaliyide) September 19, 2018
I was very optimistic kam. Toh, we shall continue with BA & co. I hope they resolve whatever is causing the delay?.
— Dr Jaliyyah Bello (@JaliyyahBello) September 19, 2018
I was very optimistic kam. Toh, we shall continue with BA & co. I hope they resolve whatever is causing the delay?.
— Dr Jaliyyah Bello (@JaliyyahBello) September 19, 2018
My dear, stop hoping o because they just launched power point and used it to defraud us.
Allah ya musalta mana buhari da shugaba mafi alheri ameen.
— Zain Ameen (@zinadabo1) September 19, 2018
??? don Allah? Hala nice nasa ya sace ma Nigeria kudi in the name of reviving Nigerian airways?
Happy blaming me for Buhari’s failure and dishonesty!
— Zain Ameen (@zinadabo1) September 19, 2018
A lot persons said “AirNigeria was a scam, thought you guys will just prove them wrong for once.. This govt is just full of shot..
— Ice ❄ ?? (@izaaksam) September 19, 2018
Oh Men! just laidat?
Chai… that logo designer is the only big winner in all this misadventure. Sure he was handsomely paid— Illuminated (@cece4real) September 19, 2018
Why did you plan poorly and refused to consult widely. You were resolutely on the path of failure
— Jibrin Ibrahim (@JibrinIbrahim17) September 19, 2018
This is an irresponsible decision. No cogent reason given. This has been a political scam from inception. Today, I have taken a painful decision never to support APC and PMB. PDP is not an option either. I am retiring from supporting any political party or platform
— @otu_a (@daramolahi) September 19, 2018
In this life of us ..we should have known we can’t rely on you ppl to get anything tangible done for us ..this is a disgrace
— ?KING OF LAGOS(MFR) (@Derek74399105) September 19, 2018
So monies have been wasted yet again; to pay consultants, launch in Dubai, Business and First class travel (up and down) etc. When people such as @obyezeks @afalli warned that this was a futile venture to begin with. You people really need to do better. It’s rather unfortunate.
— Ugbake Eguegu (@UgbakeEguegu) September 19, 2018
Mayday, mayday, mayday… Nigeria Air has made a dangerous belly landing weeks after taking off on paper. We must look for the expensive black “scam” box. pic.twitter.com/OINra3ui5V
— Israel A. Ebije (@ebijeisrael) September 19, 2018
Logo – paid for
Multiple foreign trips – paid for
Event booking at Farnborough – Paid for
PR and press releases – paid for
Airline – ?????Millions of dollars spent to create the facade called Nigeria Air. Tax payers money wasted. You’re fired.
— Youngichu (@youngichu) September 19, 2018
Can we ask why? It is sorely needed and could easily become the African hub that Ethiopian air currently holds. Africa has Ethiopian Air, Kenyan Airways. Rwanda Air, South African Airways.
Nigeria holds the prime position geographically aswell as the largest economy! Why?— Building Solutions (Nigeria) (@NigeriaBuilding) September 19, 2018
However, aviation stakeholders have also expressed divergent views on suspension.
