BY LAWANI MIKAIRU & DANIEL ETEGHE

General Secretary, Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Alhaji Muhammed Tukur has warned the Federal Government and members of the National Assembly  aviation committees in both houses not to destroy the aviation industry and what the industry has achieved.

Speaking to newsmen in Lagos, Alhaji Tukur pointed out that for over seven months now since the ill-fated Dana crash occurred, politicians as well as airline operators have been witch-hunting each other.

He however called on the members of the National Assembly to do the right thing and  save the industry from total collapse adding that the Minister of Aviation Princes Stella Oduah also have a role to play in  delivering the dividend of good governance in the aviation industry as promised by President Goodluck Jonathan.

Alhaji Tukur said ”We are all aware of the crisis that is going on in the aviation industry after the crash of Dana air. It has to do with the policies in the industry  and the National Assembly. So let me  use this opportunity first to call on the National Assembly to save the aviation industry, save the industry by doing the right thing, what is the right thing, don’t destroyed what the industry has achieved so far “

He further stressed that since the Dana air crash some people both on the side of the National Assembly and airline operators have been using the opportunity to make money. On the part of the airline operators, Alhaji Tukur stressed that they should work together as working at variance would only help in plunging the industry into further crisis .

“It has gotten to the extent whereby we have to advice our members that they should add more security to their aircraft because the way things are going, we are getting news that there may be somebody that will connive in order to bring down an aircraft because they want to achieve political gain. I want to use this opportunity to call on the Federal Government, to call on all stakeholders and security agencies to focus on this aviation matter seriously because it has taken a dangerous dimension.’’

He however called on the government and airline operators to work together in harmony to save the industry stressing that, that was the only way to boost the growth of the sector.

“Airline operators should focus on plan A and B, working with the ministry as requested, mind your business is plan B. So that  the policy of pull him down, that is what I am warning against because whatever happened to this man, one day it will come back to you and you will be the laughing stock, we should avoid anything sabotage because that is what is happening, some people are going behind,  within the members,  and trying to sabotage an operator because they want to remain in the system.’’