August 22, (THEWILL) – The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has urged governments to abide by international agreements and treaty obligations so as to enable airlines to repatriate close to nearly $1 billion in blocked funds from the sale of tickets, cargo space and other activities.
Commenting, IATA’s Director-General, Willie Walsh said governments were preventing nearly $1 billion of airline revenues from being repatriated.
This, he said, contravened international conventions and could slow the recovery of travel and tourism in affected markets as the airline industry struggles to recover from the COVID-19 crisis.
According to him, airlines will not be able to provide reliable connectivity if they cannot rely on local revenues to support operations.
Walsh said, “That is why it is critical for all governments to prioritise ensuring that funds can be repatriated efficiently. Now is not the time to score an ‘own goal’ by putting vital air connectivity at risk”.
Approximately $963 million in airline funds are being blocked from repatriation in nearly 20 countries. Four countries: Bangladesh ($146.1 million), Lebanon ($175.5 million), Nigeria ($143.8 million), and Zimbabwe ($142.7 million), account for over 60 per cent of this total, although there has been positive progress in reducing blocked funds in Bangladesh and Zimbabwe of late.
“We encourage governments to work with industry to resolve the issues that are preventing airlines from repatriating funds. This will enable aviation to provide the connectivity needed to sustain jobs and energise economies as they recover from COVID-19,” Walsh added.
RCA, Giving.ng Donate Over N2m to NFI School
To celebrate Run Club Abuja (RCA) one-year anniversary, Africa’s first and only free crowdfunding platform, Giving. Ng, has partnered the club on a charity run to raise funds for The Not Forgotten Initiative School (NFI), a not-for- profit school based in Abuja, Nigeria.
Run Club Abuja, a fitness and lifestyle club organised the ‘Charity Half Marathon’, preceded by a crowdfunding campaign to raise fund for the school designed to support less privileged children.
At the end of the run event, about N2.02 million raised, via the giving.ng platform were presented publicly to NFI School.
Some of the pupils of NFI School who were participants at the run event expressed delight about the donations made towards their education.
Run Club Abuja, a fitness and lifestyle club organised the ‘Charity Half Marathon’, preceded by a crowdfunding campaign to raise fund for the school designed to support less privileged children.
The NFI School helps transform the lives of children of less-privileged community in Kpaduma Hills, Asokoro and its immediate environs by offering free education, school uniforms, books, and special empowerment programs with the aim of empowering the children to become the best they can be and thereby breaking the vicious cycle of poverty. Giving.ng also gave a grant of N500,000 towards the success of the crowdfunding campaign.
Speaking on the partnership, the CEO of Sterling One Foundation, Olapeju Ibekwe, commended the Run Club Abuja for the laudable project highlighting that the country needs more impact focused Nigerians who can choose to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
Ibekwe added that the Givin.ng platform was designed to provide support for such change makers who will not accept the status quo but are willing to create partnerships for progress within their various communities. She reiterated that grants are available to fund raisers who qualify and noted that these are available on the Giving.ng platform.
The President of Run Club Abuja, Mr Henry Okelue, thanked Giving.ng for their partnership. He added that the funds would be used to build a classroom and provide computers for the computer learning room at NFI School.
Also, expressing her appreciation, the founder of the school, Mrs. Tosin Adeniyi who was at the half marathon, said, “We at NFI are exceedingly grateful to Run Club Abuja for organising this run. We are also grateful to Giving.ng for helping to make this dream come true. We do not take this blessing for granted.”
Mrs Adeniyi added that it was a major encouragement for her and the students and that it helped to reinforce her commitment to helping as many children as possible to have a better future.
The NFI School helps to transform the lives of children of a less-privileged community in Kpaduma Hills, Asokoro and its immediate environs by offering free education, school uniforms, books, and special empowerment programs with the aim of empowering the children to become the best they can be and thereby breaking the vicious cycle of poverty. Giving.ng also gave a grant of N500,000.00 towards the success of the crowdfunding campaign.
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
