Posted by Sade Williams
The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), on Sunday appealed to Shoreline Oil Services Ltd , operators Osubi airstrip in Warri, to pay up the balance of N566, 422, 000.50, saying it restored services to the airstrip after appeals from well-meaning stakeholders and in consideration of the overall interest of the air travel public, coupled with the fact that the operator paid the sum of N31 million out of the amount it owed NAMA.
A statement signed by Khalid Emele, General Manager, Public affairs, NAMA, said it also resolved to restore services to the airstrip as a responsible service provider with the understanding that Shoreline Oil Services Ltd will use the opportunity to defray the debt.
“This decision is consequent upon the payment of N31 million by Shoreline Oil Services Ltd, operators of the airstrip, being part payment of accumulated charges for the provision of air traffic services at the airstrip by NAMA. The payment leaves Shoreline Oil Services with a debt balance of N566, 422, 000.50 as of today, the 28th October, 2018.
“We recall that we took the difficult decision to withdraw air traffic services to Osubi airstrip after Shoreline Oil Services persistently refused to honour financial obligation to us despite several entreaties.
“As a responsible corporate citizen and provider of critical services to the nation’s civil aviation sector, we felt obliged to restore our services to the airstrip with the understanding that Shoreline Oil Services will take full advantage of this window of opportunity to make additional payment that will substantially defray the above N566, 422, 000.50 debt as well as agree on a concrete and workable payment plan that will clear the outstanding balance.
“It is our hope that going forward, and in the spirit of the renewed understanding between both organizations, Shoreline will reciprocate this gesture by paying for our services as and when due”, it said.
The Agency used the opportunity to clear the air on the fact that it did not shut down the airport but only withdrew air traffic services from it.
“We would also like to clear the misconception being bandied about that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) was responsible for “shutting down” Osubi airstrip. Nothing could be further from the truth as we do not have such statutory or physical powers. We merely withdrew air traffic services to the airstrip but we did not shut it down.
“Finally, we would like to reassure all our service users, stakeholders and the general public that NAMA remains committed to its goal of providing seamless air traffic services in a safe, economic and efficient manner”, it added.
