Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika has rejected claims that the Nigeria Air project under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was fraudulent. Speaking in an interview, Sirika said the national carrier followed due process and was regulated by the Infrastructure Concessioning Regulatory Commission.
He explained that the project was structured as a public-private partnership and dismissed reports that ₦100 billion was lost. According to him, the approved budget was ₦5 billion, of which ₦3 billion was released, leaving over ₦1 billion unspent when he left office.
Also Read: EFCC To Arraign Sirika, Daughter Over Fraud Allegations
The Nigeria Air project was unveiled in the final days of the Buhari administration but faced opposition from domestic operators who took legal action against the government. Critics, including the Airline Operators of Nigeria, described the launch as fraudulent.
Sirika is currently on trial for alleged corruption and abuse of office. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission accuses him of awarding aviation contracts worth billions of naira to companies linked to his daughter and son-in-law.
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