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      Worried by the gradual withdrawal of foreign airlines operations from Nigeria, the Senate yesterday disclosed its plans to summon the Aviation Minister, Senator Hadi Serika, to find lasting solutions to the problem bedevilling the sector.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Aviation, Senator Adamu Aliero, made this disclosure yesterday while speaking to journalists immediately after a maiden meeting between the committee and various aviation agencies at the National Assembly complex, Abuja.

According to the lawmaker, the shortage of aviation fuel in the country, which led to some foreign airlines shutting down operations was a problem that could be resolved by the government.

He added that in spite of Nigeria being an oil-producing country, it was most embarrassing to find local and foreign airlines buying aviation fuel from neighbouring countries.

Lamenting the challenges of funding faced by the sector, Senator Aliero assured that the National Assembly will amend the constitution so as to make for convenient repatriation of funds owed by airlines to the coffers of the Federal Government.

The lawmaker also stated that for the aviation indus�try to thrive, there was the need to unbundle the sector, adding that by so doing, it would shore up its revenue profile.

He said: "From what the committee was made to understand, the major problem faced by foreign airlines is aviation fuel which is a major problem in Nigeria. Inspite of the country being an oil producing one, it is embarrassing that airlines get their products from neighbouring countries."�

Earlier, a member of the committee, Senator Ibn Na'Allah, who also called for the unbundling of the sector, said the challenges faced by the sector make it imperative for relevant agencies to re-evaluate their policies going forward.