Nigeria Air To Commence Operations In December, As FG Takes Delivery Of Nine Aircraft

THE Minister of Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, has disclosed that nine of the 20 petrol-aircraft ordered by the Federal Government for the take off of Nigeria Air had been delivered.

   Speaking during a meeting with the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, who raised concerns about the process leading to the establishment of Nigeria Air, Sirika said “there are issues that need clarification,” adding that there was no cause for worries, as stakeholders were carried along in the establishment of the national carrier, which is expected to kick-start operation in December this year.

  He stated: “When I came in as a minister, we didn’t arrogate to ourselves knowledge and wisdom. We believe in the stakeholders on whose behalf we are servicing. Having been made minister, I came out with a road map which in my little wisdom will help transform civil aviation in Nigeria.

  “I ran it through the system within the ministry and we commissioned some consultants to conduct a market survey and see where we are as an industry at that time. We set out to concession our airports, not to privatise, but to concession the airports.

  “We also set out to put a proper airline the size, capacity, dynamics and the population and the markets and the complexity of the nation, Nigeria and also set out a leasing company and develop the cargo terminals and so on.

“When I came to the House of Representatives, I found out that the act that was signed by Jaja Nwachukwu in 1963 was the Act that we were using, charging pounds and shillings in 2003. We hurriedly, as we were departing in 2007, got the civil aviation passed in 2006 with some imperfections.

  “There were some important ones, roadmaps and to God be the glory that today, we have done what we thought is good as an act. So, all these roadmap items are private sector-led and driven. It’s intended to do the framework and the foundation and steer it in such a way that it will be beneficial to the people and make it a private sector initiative to which the government has some interests, understanding the civil aviation in value addition, improving the GDP and jobs.”

   He assured that the national carrier (Nigeria Air) is in advanced works, adding: “Just yesterday, Mr. President, in concluding the retreat, has directed that this airline must work between now and December. And it will work by God’s grace.

  “We have ordered 20 brand new training aircraft that use petrol. So far, nine have been delivered, all these in the national carrier efforts.”

  According to Sirika, both investors and technical partners have been secured, assuring that the country’s national carrier would start operation before the end of the year.

  “We have so far, from all the submissions, identified the partners and the investors and we are currently negotiating and processing the AOC.

  “We are tweaking the business case in such a way it will give us an advantage. So, I want to commit here, by the grace of God, between now and the end of the year, the airline will work.”