Aviation Fuel Scarcity May Stall NAF Air Operations Nationwide ― Air Marshall Amao
The current challenges of JET A-1 (aviation fuel) scarcity in Nigeria could adversely affect NAF air operations against terrorism and banditry in the country. The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshall Isiaka Oladayo Amao, expressed his displeasure while delivering a paper titled “Management of Emerging Air Threat: Implications for Strengthening Governance in Nigeria” as part of the activities marking Senior Executive Course (SEC) 44 Defence Week of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Study (NIPSS) Kuru, Plateau State, says current sales for JET A-1 stand at N950 per litre, as opposed to the N360 per litre appropriated in the NAF 2022 budget.
According to him, the current cost, and the implication was far beyond the NAF budgetary provision in which NAF requires the Federal Government to quickly intervene to ensure safe air operations in the country.
He further stated that the way out of the predicament as an interim measure is for the federal government to grant NAF operational licenses and provide the necessary infrastructure to independently import and bridge the aviation fuel scarcity by the first quarter of 2023.
Air Marshall Amao further advised that to cushion the scarcity, a coastal reception depot could be built for the NAF as an immediate measure, where special trucks would move the fuel from the reception depot to operation units.
