The vice chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Aviation, Hon. Musa Pali has lend his support to the call by the president of National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies, NANTA , Mrs Susan Akporiaye, for a stakeholders meeting to look into the high cost of airfares, high cost of aviation fuel and the multiplier effect of not allowing international airlines to repatriate their funds and the effect it is having on the Nigeria travelling public.
Speaking in an interview in Argungu, Kebbi state at the just concluded Alhaji Nura Sani Kangiwa Polo Tournament and Cultural Festival, Hon Pali said the call for a stakeholders meeting by NANTA to look into the matter is a welcome development.
He said the meeting will afford the stakeholders the opportunity to brainstorm on the rising cost of aviation fuel, airfares and other related matters and come out with a lasting solution to the problems.
The vice chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on aviation while explaining that the high cost of airfares is due to scarcity of aviation fuel, noted that whenever the product is scarce, the price will rise and by the time time the products become available, the price will be stable.
He said the House is working very hard to ensure that the price of aviation fuel drops, so that ordinary Nigerians will travel unhindered and at cheaper rates.
With this measure 60 to 70 percent of Nigerians can afford to travel by air, he said.
Pali assured that the price of aviation fuel will surely drop.
He commended the National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality, NIHOTOUR for the location of its Training facility in Argungu in Kebbi state.
He pointed out that tourism is a sector the government can encourage, put more money to get the youths engaged.
Pali said by so doing, it will at least bring sanity and curb insecurity in the country.
He explained that: “Even if the trainees are not educated, they can be trained and they will be gainfully employed.
If you look at the golf tournament and cultural festival, it is unique and will make people to remember their culture and make our younger ones know their culture.”
The House member noted that even if one does not go to the university, he will be trained to stand on his own and create employment opportunities.
