February 04, (THEWILL) – Medview Airline has debunked reports alleging that the Airline was involved in diversion of funds meant for airlifting pilgrims for 2019 Hajj.
In a statement by its Executive Director, Business Development, Isiaq Na’Allah, the airline said the invitation of the Managing Director by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was to shed light on the 2019 operations and the contract with the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
The airline said that there was no scam or diversion of funds meant for the 2019 Hajj airlift, and insisted that the funds were utilised for necessary preparations, including aircraft maintenance and payment to service providers.
It explained that the $900,000 being referred to in reports was paid by NAHCON directly to two service providers in Saudi Arabia, namely General Authority of Aviation ($400,000) and Taibah Airports Development Company ($500,000) on July 5, 2019.
Medview pointed out that a presidential committee was raised to reconcile the differences in payment to it and the number of pilgrims airlifted and this later metamorphosed into a ministerial committee, where all issues were resolved.
The statement reads: ”The attention of Medview Airline Plc has been drawn to media reports on allegation of scam following the invitation of the CEO, Alhaji Muneer Bankole by EFCC to shed light on the airline Hajj Operations contract with National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON).
“There was no scam or diversion of funds meant for the 2019 Hajj airlift, and said the funds were utilized for necessary preparations including aircraft maintenance and payment to service providers.
“In spite of deft moves by some highly placed persons to frustrate the airline from the operations with late release of funds, Medview Airline airlifted 4,387 pilgrims from Kaduna, Yobe and Ogun states. The Pilgrims Boards in those states are living witnesses of the operation.
“In line with the terms of the contract with NAHCON, a presidential committee was raised to reconcile the differences in payment to Medview Airline and the number of pilgrims airlifted, and this later metaphorized into a Ministerial Committee, where all issues were resolved.
“It is therefore strange for somebody to wake up and go to the rooftop armed with trumpets and cymbal for a non-existent scam or diversion of funds all to smear Medview Airline Plc.
“Medview Airline is resolute to return to its leadership role in Hajj operations.”
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