By Our Reporters
Social media users have come hard on Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for approving N320,000 for a business class passenger return ticket from Lagos to Yola and N290,000 for economy class on same route
In a leaked memo trending on Facebook and Twitter, the MD approved various sums considered to be outrageous for different routes
In the memo dated 4th of January 2020,titled “Review of Airfare Rates (Local)” emanating from and signed by the General Manager Corporate and Strategic Planning, the author sited hike in airfare as reason for the increase.
According to the memo, the revised airfare rates indicates routes with prices for business and economy classes.
She approved N300,000 for business class on Lagos to Maiduguri and Lagos to Porthatcourt routes which translates to N150,000 per trip. The document also shows N250,000 per trip on the economy class for Lagos to Porthatcourt and Lagos to Maiduguri ,which is also N125,000 per trip.
The document showed approval of N270,000 for business class on Lagos to Jos and N250,000 for economy class on same route.
Return tickets on routes like Lagos to Abuja, Lagos to Benin, Lagos to Calabar, Lagos to Kaduna, Lagos to Kano and Lagos to Uyo had N250,000 approved for business class and N200,000 for economy class except Uyo with N220,000.
On the Sokoto route, N260,000 was approved for business class ticket and economy ticket to cost the Authority N240,0000
Business class fares for Owerri and Ilorin were the least of approved sums of N200,000 and N180,000 respectively with N180,000 and N150,000 approved for economy seats
Respondents online are faulting the approved figures as , according to them fares from Lagos to Abuja do not cost more than N70,000 per trip on the business class and N40,000 for economy class.
The memo signed by Engr. AA Jato states that ” The Division has observed the recent hikes in the prices of local tickets across the country.
In view of the above and in order to keep abreast with the reality of our times, it is hereby recommended that the rates for local flights be reviewed upwards accordingly”
When contacted for NPA’s official reaction, Adam Jatto , General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communication, told our reporter he was driving via Whatsapp message. He promised calling back but never did so as at press time
