COVID-19 test: NCAA allows air passengers to board with no payment prove We’ll not sell petrol above N160/ litre – A. A. Rano
The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority of Nigeria (NCAA) has rescinded its earlier requirement that intending passengers to Nigeria must pay and print the confirmation of their COVID-19 test payment for them to be allowed to board flights into Nigeria.
In a circular signed by the DirectorGeneral of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu, and addressed to all foreign airlines operating in Nigeria, the NCAA explained that the suspension of the requirement is a result of the difficulty passengers are having with the payment platform.
Our Correspondent reports that international passengers who came to Nigeria on Monday via Ethiopian Airlines complained of inability to print their payment receipt, a situation that kept them at the airport for several hours because the airline won’t let them board.
Acknowledging these difficulties, NCAA said: “Airlines are hereby notified that the presentation of evidence of payment receipt in the form of a QR code is recommended for all passengers but is not a mandatory requirement for boarding flights to Nigeria for now.”
The circular reiterated that the “presentation of a negative COVID-19 PCR test valid within 96 hours of boarding remains mandatory for all passengers travelling to Nigeria. Airlines must ensure compliance with this requirement.
“Flying passengers that do not have a negative COVID-19 PCR test to Nigeria will attract a penalty of $3,500 per passenger.”
Chairman of A. A. Rano Nigeria Limited, Auwalu Ali Rano, has insisted that his filling stations will not sell Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) above N160.
Speaking yesterday in Kano at the opening session of a Change Management Training and Retreat for the top management staff, Rano said the decision to sell petroleum at between N158 and N160 was to reduce hardship among the citizens.
It was observed that scores of stations are selling the product for up to N162/litre.
He said despite the total deregulation of the oil sector, his company decided to consider the plights of Nigerians instead of more additional profits that could be accrued from selling at above N160 per litre.
“Filling stations sell fuel at the rate of N162, some even above that. But, we in A. A. Rano across the country sells it at the rate of N160 and below, while NNPC itself ordered all its filling stations to sell at the rate of N160. So we are even trying to sell below that price.
“But, when the price eventually changes we’ll have to review it up as well since it has now been deregulated, unlike before that government was subsidising it,” he said.
He said the company plans to diversify its businesses to other sectors like aviation, haulage, LPG, revealing that the company would commission its LPG deport next year.