Lawmakers Set to Stop Unfavorable Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) with other Countries

Despite several outcries, the excessive ripping off of Nigeria by many of the foreign airlines operating in the country continues. Therefore, fresh efforts are on the way to curtail this ill.

This was hinted at by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Hope Uzordinma during the weekend, while speaking with some aviation journalists. Uzordinma lamented the lopsidedness inherent in the various Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) Nigeria signed with the home countries of the foreign airlines which are disadvantageous to Nigeria.

This, it has been concluded, has become a national issue, especially when we consider the obvious implications on the country as witnessed in the manner many of the foreign carriers smile to their countries with profits while Nigeria constantly remains on the losing side.

Therefore, key players in the sector, joined by National Assembly members, had raised the alarm over what they called exploitation of Nigerians by the mega carriers through the unfavourable agreements signed by the past governments. Senator Uzordinma has said that the aviation committee was already looking into the entire BASA to ensure that it benefits the country as a nation: “In due course, the Senate will come out with what will protect the national interest as it has to do with what is obtainable in other parts of the world.