Mr Sirika had in June accused the former chairman of the House Committee on Aviation, of demanding five per cent shares of the national carrier from him

The House of Representatives has launched a fresh investigation into the status of Nigeria Air, a national carrier, conceived by the last administration

The House, sequel to a motion moved by Tarkighir Dickson (APC, Benue) on Thursday, asked its relevant committees on aviation to probe the proposed carrier.

Nigeria Air was unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show in England on 18 July, 2018.

The project was suspended two months after it was announced as critics raised concerns over its relevance and sustainability.

The proposed airline was expected to gulp $8.8 million in preliminary cost and $300 million as take-off cost.

The idea of Nigeria Air was raised many years after Nigeria’s defunct carrier, Nigeria Airways, collapsed due to corruption and poor management.

Hadi Sirika, the former minister of aviation, later announced an arrangement between the Nigerian government and Ethiopian Air to finance the national carrier.According to Mr Sirika, Ethiopian Air was to own 49 of the airline, a consortium of local investors was to own 46 per cent and the Nigerian government was to retain five per cent.

The arrangement was fiercely opposed by local airline operators, who challenged the government in court, and committees of the National Assembly.

Despite the opposition, Mr Sirika and Ethiopia Air “unveiled” the airline despite not obtaining the needed approvals from regulatory authorities.

Mr Sirika’s action generated outrage among Nigerians.

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