‘Arik Air not taken over by AMCON’

LAGOS — Chief Executive Officer of Asset Management Company of Nigeria, AMCON, Mr. Chike Obi, yesterday, denied media report that AMCON had taken-over the running of Arik Air due to its indebtedness running into billions of naira.

Obi, who addressed newsmen in Lagos, described the report as false, saying that the report did not originate from him.

He said that AMCON or its management had never thought of taking over Arik Air  as reported.

He said: “The report is totally wrong. I don’t know where the paper in question got that report from. It is not true. We have not taken over Arik and had never discussed taking over Arik as I talk to you. We don’t run an airline. We cannot take over the biggest airline in Nigeria because we feel like. I don’t know where they got that report from and they even quoted me.

“The reporter called me at 9pm and I told him it was late for him to call me, so when has that response meant yes, only God knows. We have never considered taking over Arik at this point. The story is baseless. I got a call today (yesterday) that we have taken over something else.

There is somebody moving around selling dummies to the people. You need to check whatever information you have and I can tell you that it is not true and AMCON had not even considered it. How can I confirm things we had not even discussed?”

Similarly, Media Manager of Arik Air, Mr. Banji Ola, who also denied the media report, saying that the story was a total falsehood, adding that there was no truth in the report.

Source:  http://www.vanguardngr.com
Arik Air yesterday said it has not been taken over by the Asset Management Company of Nigeria ( AMCON).

The clarification is coming on the heels of some reports  that AMCON has acquired the airline.

In a statement by its Media Officer, Banji Ola, the airline said: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication  suggesting that Arik Air has been taken over by AMCON.

“There is no iota of truth in the story and it was just another malicious publication against Arik Air. The story is at best a figment of the writer’s imagination and a show of irresponsible journalism.”

AMCON Managing Director, Mr Mustafa Chike Obi, who was quoted in the  story,  condemned the publication.

In a statement,  the AMCON chief said he was disappointed at the report, adding that the story was “completely false and baseless...”

Arik Air would therefore like to assure its esteemed guests that its daily flight operations are going on without any hindrance.”

Source:  http://www.thenationonlineng.net