News
FG to sanction airlines over delayed ticket refunds
The Federal Government through the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority is out to sanction airlines over inability to make refunds for cancelled or delayed flights spanning more than five hours.
The aviation body’s stance is against the backdrop of a barrage of complaints by travellers against the erring airlines amid varying practices by airlines that have taken the joy out of air travel, including skyrocketing airfares.
The agency said failure to comply with Part 19 of NCAA regulations will, henceforth, attract immediate sanctions.
The Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, Michael Achimug, in a statement posted on his X handle on Monday, warned that airlines that fail to pay refunds within the stipulated time frame of 14 days of the NCAA regulations 2023 will attract immediate sanction.
He explained that he had spent an entire year engaging airlines, listening to their challenges, and partnering with them to give passengers a better travel experience.
Achimug added that while most airlines have been responsive, others have refused to comply with regulations on passengers’ rights, stressing that the relationship between operators and the regulator has worked better than in the past and this is good for passengers.
He chided Air Peace in particular for the delay in refunding passengers, just as he directed the airline to make a refund to passengers, saying 14 days had long elapsed.
His words, “This is not hot air. The Consumer Protection Department of the NCAA has done a lot to sensitise passengers and the business of operators. The time has come for airlines to repay the good faith and support they have gotten from the regulator.”
“Our CPOs have received instructions not to chase down airlines to comply with the regulations. Every case of non-compliance will be met with adequate sanctions. Not a single airline will say that they have not been given a listening ear.”
The Authority has been balanced.”
“Apologies to passengers whose refunds have taken longer than necessary. It is not ideal. I am pursuing a review of the regulations to cut the timeframe to seven days. It is doable. Nigerian passengers deserve world-class service.”
Achimugu further stated that the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, and the Director-General of NCAA, Capt. Chris Najomo, have been very supportive of operators, especially domestic airlines, noting that this is well-captured in the Minister’s 5-point agenda.
He said, “It is imperative, therefore, that airlines do right, if not by these two incredible public servants, then by the passengers who patronise their businesses. The challenges faced by airlines are manifold. Not nearly all delays and cancellations are their fault, but they have shouldered the blame.
“I have spoken in support of operators because, given the peculiar environment, they are doing a lot and must be supported. My department’s intervention has seen airlines pay full refunds, 25 per cent rebates, and even 50 per cent rebates.
“But there are areas where they ought to do much better, and paying refunds within the stipulated time frame is one of the low-hanging fruits. Passengers may not always understand the back end of things, but when it is determined that they are due a refund, it should be done seamlessly.”
The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), has replied to the Nigerian Bar Association regarding the reason for relocating its Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu State.
Ibas faulted the reason cited by the NBA, describing it as misleading and uncharitable.
The Sole Administrator stated this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Monday by his media aide, Hector Igbikiowubo, and sent to newsmen.
He said while the NBA reserves the right to choose a venue for its conference, the association had yet to address the issue of the refund of the hosting rights paid by the state government for the conference.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
It added, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
The statement partly reads, “While we respect the NBA’s right to choose its conference venues, we find it curious that the association—despite its “principled position”— didn’t address the refund of the N300 million already paid by the Rivers State Government for the hosting rights of the 2025 conference.
“If the NBA truly stands on principle, it should demonstrate the same integrity by promptly returning these funds rather than benefiting from a state it now publicly discredits.”
It added, “The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to the Nigeria Bar Association’s announcement dated 10th April 2025, relocating its 2025 Annual General Conference from Port Harcourt to Enugu.
By Francesca Hangeior
The Federal Government has unveiled the second phase of its contactless biometric passport application system across its four missions in United States, Mexico, Jamaica and Brazil.
The Nigeria Immigration Service NIS disclosed this in a tweet on its ‘X’ handle signed by Service Spokesman, ACI AS Akinlabi.
The statement reads; “ain continuation of the phased Roll-Out of the Contactless Biometric Passport Application System across Nigerian Missions abroad, the Nigeria Immigration Service under its
Comptroller General, Kemi Nanna Nandap wishes to inform the General public especially Nigerians in the Diaspora that it is implementing the next stage of the roll-out across the following countries.
“The Application System, which is currently available on Google Play Store (NIS Mobile), is designed to allow Nigerians to renew their passports without visiting any Passport Centre for Biometrics enrollment. The Apple Store version will be onboarded shortly and an enhanced version of the NIS Mobile App for both Android and iOS users will be deployed to further improve users’ experience and accessibility.
“With this roll-out, the Service further informs the General public that the Contactless Passport App is now available in Canada, the USA, Mexico, Jamaica, Brazil, Europe, and Asia. It is yet to be rolled out in Australia and Nigeria, a future date will be announced for both countries in due course.
“The Service remains committed to innovative and efficient Service Delivery to Nigerians anywhere in the world”.
By Francesca Hangeior
At least eight of the 1,800 candidates shortlisted for teaching positions under the Kwara State Teaching Service Commission have been disqualified after testing positive for banned substances.
This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by the TESCOM Press Secretary, Sam Onile, who quoted the Chairman of the Commission, Bello Abubakar.
According to the statement, the disqualified applicants tested positive for drugs, including benzodiazepine, tramadol, cotinine, marijuana, and amphetamine.
The tests were conducted by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency with support from the state government.
Abubakar said the affected candidates would be replaced by the next best-performing applicants from their respective local government areas.
“A major implication of this development is that the affected individuals will be replaced by the candidates who are next to them in performance from their respective local government areas,” the statement said.
“The idea is to send an unmistakable message about the state government’s zero tolerance for drug abuse. We have a duty of care not to expose little children to drug abuse under any circumstances.”
The TESCOM chairman praised AbdulRazaq for insisting on a merit-based recruitment process, noting that the governor had again demonstrated fairness and commitment to quality education in the state.
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