Media magnet, social media expert and Senator of the Federal Republic, Mr. Ben Murry Bruce has deepened his campaign on impending air crashes owing to lack of forex by airline operators to service their aircrafts.
In his campaign, now trending on social media, tagged: #AccidentWaitingToHappen, he narrated the challenges faced by the aviation industry and warned that disasters loom if urgent actions are not taken to address the challenges.
Senator Murray Bruce said that air disaster looms in the country as Nigerian airlines are allegedly not servicing their aircraft because they cannot get foreign exchange.
The lawmaker representing Bayelsa East Senatorial District, lamented that airline operators cannot get forex to buy aircraft parts, thus flying planes that ‘could drop’.
The tweets read: “Just spoke with the head of an airline and Nigerian airlines are not servicing planes because they can’t get forex.
“Pilgrims get forex at special rates while airlines can’t get it to buy parts and are flying planes that could drop.
“Right now in Nigeria, even aviation fuel isn’t available. Airlines are forced to cut corners and put lives at risk.
“Regulators license airlines with one plane. The plane is overworked without access to necessary service and parts. “Airlines are forced to source for forex on the parallel market. They are forced to cut corners and risk lives.
“In all airports in Nigeria, there are delays. No aviation fuel. No parts. Desperate travellers, weak regulator.
“We must show concern for those who don’t have access to presidential jets and private jets. Human lives are at risk.”
However, only recently, the federal government claimed that it has released some forex to the sector even as operators say they are yet to access the facility so released by the apex government.
