Travel News

Chinedu Eze

The Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) has sacked its staff  member for harassing and extorting N100, 000 from South Africa-bound passenger at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, recently.

The company took the action after it confirmed the allegation to be true in an investigative panel set up to scrutinize his activities.

The investigation revealed that the staff, in connivance with some other airport workers, extorted the sum of N100,000 from the passenger last December.

It was gathered that though the suspect attempted to debunk the allegation, the thorough job done by the investigating panel found him guilty of the offence.

A source close to the ground handling company disclosed yesterday that the handling company was also planning to meet with the extorted passenger, Mr. Oyewale Oyesiji, an Osun State-based automobile engineer, to update him on the development and declared that SAHCO would not tolerate any unprofessional behaviour or conduct from any of its staff, irrespective of the person’s position.

He said: “I can tell you categorically that our management has sacked the erring staff. Immediately we got wind of the allegation, the management set up a panel to investigate the matter. The panel was able to confirm the staff actually committed the offence and it made this known in the report submitted to the management.

“The management, in accordance with the Nigeria labour laws, also implemented the report of the investigative panel by dismissing the culprit immediately. You should know that we are an internationally certified handling company with major foreign and indigenous carriers as our clients. We cannot afford to allow any staff or anyone to soil our name. We give them the best of training locally and internationally and we expect everyone to comply with the set standards.

“Definitely, SAHCO has lots of exemplary staff who have performed excellently-well in the discharge of their duties. This cannot affect our hard earned image and we will not compromise in entrenching the best industry standards at all times.”

When contacted, the Head, Corporate Communications, Mrs. Vanessa Uansohia, declined to comment on the issue, but insisted that SAHCO does not tolerate any corrupt practices among its staff.

Uansohia, however, assured all stakeholders and its clients of utmost commitment to the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in its operations at all times.

She said: “We condemn any act of extortion, harassment, unethical behaviour or misconduct among our staff or operations. The reported incident is contrary to our values and code of conduct that governs all our staff.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy for any form of corruption or misconduct and this case is being thoroughly investigated.”

SAHCO has been commended severally by industry stakeholders and clients for displaying exemplary leadership in the discharge of its duties, especially with the inculcation of industry best practices on its staff across board.

•NAHCON Signs 2025 MoU

BY Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Chairman of National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Prof. Abdullahi Saleh Usman, Monday, announced the Presidency has approved four airlines as official air carriers for pilgrims of the 2025 Hajj.

He disclosed the carriers were selected out of the 11 companies that submitted applications for the airlift of Nigerian Muslim pilgrims.  

The selected airlines, Usman said are Air Peace Limited, Fly-Nas, Max Air, and UMZA Aviation Services Limited (in alphabetical order).

The air carriers were screened and shortlisted by a team of 32 members that was inaugurated by the NAHCON Chairman on 26th November 2024, he added.

In a statement by Assistant Director, Information and Publication, NAHCON, Fatima Sanda Usara, Usman said the composition of the Aviation Screening Committee included representatives from State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards, three members from Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) and one member each from Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The statement added: “Similarly, one member each was drawn from Nigerian Customs’ Service (NCS) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC).

By Damilola Aina

The loading cost of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and other refined petroleum products at the depots increased on Monday.

The PUNCH gathered that marketers raised petrol and diesel prices at depots by N43 or 4.74 per cent due to the rising crude oil prices.

Recall that the cost of Brent, the global benchmark for crude, reached $79.76 per barrel on Sunday.

This current situation indicates that filling stations nationwide may adjust their pump prices to reflect the higher costs of refined products.

Data obtained by our correspondent while analysing petrol price movements at loading depots on Monday showed that Swift depot increased its loading price to N950 per litre from N907 last Friday.

Wosbab Depot increased its price to N950 from N909, while Sahara Depot made a similar change to N950 from the N910 it sold a litre of petrol last Friday.

Also, a private depot, Shellplux, increased its loading costs to N960 from N908. Chipet Depot asked retailers to pay N960 per litre to receive products. It sold at N908 per litre last week Friday.

Nipco Depot increased its price by N38 from N912 to N950 while the Matrix Warri Depot increased its cost from N925 per litre to N945.

Our correspondent also gathered that marketers who picked products from the Dangote refinery and resell to other retailers increased their costs to N923 per litre despite picking products from the refinery at N899 per litre.

For diesel, some loading depot prices including Stockgap depot increased its price from N1,080 to N1,150. Ibeto Depot approved an increase from N1,050 to N1,150 per litre. Sahara Depot sold its product at N1,150 from N1,045 last week.

Nipco Depot increased its price to N1,150 from N1,120 while Optima Depot approved a N72 increase to N1,120 per litre from N1,048.

The average increase in depot prices for PMS stands at approximately 7-10 per cent while AGO prices have surged by 5-10 per cent, depending on the depot and location.

Reacting in an earlier interview, an oil and gas expert, Olatide Jeremiah, said depots are poised to increase the loading price of refined petroleum products.

Jeremiah, who is the Chief Executive Officer of petroleumprice.ng, said, “It implies that there is a possibility of increased fuel prices, particularly diesel prices.

“As of Friday, when Brent crude neared $80, prices selectively increased in some depots in Lagos, and on Monday, prices might be jacked up by importers because a large chunk of oil marketers import petroleum products and Brent crude is a major determining factor in the refining process.”

Another marketer, Bayo Adelaja said, “Depot rates have escalated sharply, and this is directly affecting pump prices. Consumers should expect further fluctuations in the coming weeks,” he noted.

With depot rates showing no signs of stabilising, the coming weeks may bring further adjustments, emphasising the need for long-term strategies to mitigate the impact on consumers and the economy.

ABUJA (Reuters) - Nigerian troops have killed 76 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) militants in the country's northeastern Borno state in recent weeks, a spokesperson said on Thursday.

The militants were believed to belong to the armed group Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP, who have been waging a deadly insurgency in northeast Nigeria since 2009 that has displaced millions and killed thousands, with Borno at its epicenter.

The militants have stepped up attacks in Borno since the turn of the year, including an assault on Dumba community on Sunday where at least 40 farmers were killed.

Military spokesperson Major-General Edward Buba said troops killed 24 fighters during offensive operations in Damboa, Bama, and Chibok areas of Borno between Jan. 7 and 13.

He did not provide details on troop casualties during the operations.

Troops arrested 72 suspects and rescued eight hostages during the operations, he said in a statement.

Buba said weapons and ammunition, including AK-47 rifles, grenades, rocket-propelled grenades, and improvised explosive devices, were recovered during the operations.

(Writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo; Editing by Bernadette Baum)

By Camillus Eboh