Prof. Anthony Kila, a policy analyst and professor of strategy and development, has asked President Bola Tinubu to launch an impartial public investigation into Nigeria Air.
Kila, who is also the director of the Commonwealth Institute, made the request in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.
The former minister of aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, was charged on Friday with violating the court order by launching a new national carrier without following the proper procedures, according to the Airline Operators of Nigeria and several aviation unions.
Kila said the investigation should focus on looking into and making public the ideation, discussions, collaborations, costs, and parties associated with the Nigeria Air initiative.
“Nigeria Air Project has generated too much controversy and has now become a source of public concern, rather than the laudable achievements it was supposed to achieve due to the way it has been handled so far.
“This is due to stakeholders alleging a series of malpractices and calling attention to an un-respected court pronouncement. Hence, the best institutional response to give in this circumstance is for the government to create an independent and authoritative public inquiry,” Kila said.
He added, “The inquiry will allow all those who have issues and questions about the Nigeria Air project to table their concerns and give those involved in the project the opportunity to respond.”
The policy analyst noted that the call is without fear or intimidation and that all interested Nigerians should know what really happened and what to expect from the project.
Kila also urged operators and other stakeholders to find ways of organising themselves into a visible force and ask the new government to shed light on the Nigeria Air project.
He further said that due action is expected from experts and stakeholders to request an independent and authoritative public inquiry into such a sensitive and important project.
Kila charged the Tinubu-led government to look into the issue as it is a test for the new administration.
The scholar said it would also give observers an informed insight into how the new administration wanted to treat experts and stakeholders in aviation and other sectors.