In preparation to the December take off of the new national carrier, Federal Government of Nigeria today unveiled the name of the new national airline as: ‘Nigeria Air’.
Speaking at the unveiling of the name and logo of the new national carrier, at the ongoing Farnborough Airshow in London, Minister of State, Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika told prospective investors, aircraft manufacturers and strategic partners that government equity in the organization will not be more than 5 per cent.
The airline is intended to provide employments for teaming Nigerian population, kick start, ginger and double up and rush the growth of the economy of Nigeria.
Giving reasons why the Federal Government has to refloat another national carrier after the inglorious liquidation of former national carrier, Nigeria Airways about 15 years ago, by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Sirika said, “It is true that 8 per cent of carriers in Africa are non-African. Nigeria has not been a player for a very long time. We used to be a dominant carrier in the continent of Africa through Nigeria Airways. Sadly, Nigeria Airways is no more.
“Government has been quite liberal by liberalizing the sector at the tail end of 70s and early 80s to allow private sector to participate in creating a robust airlines that would serve the market, and that would transform the economy of that region. Unfortunately, the stories of the initiatives which were well recognized and respected, has not yielded the desired goals of achieving a top class, competitive, efficient and vibrant carriers.
“With the government of Nigeria, it is extremely important that the service is provided. The reason being, there is a service that is needed and also, it will offer employment opportunities that will kick start and ginger and double up and rush the growth of the economy of Nigeria. So we take it as an extremely very important venture. And that is why government thought it has the responsibility upon itself much more than a social in trying to create a new National Carrier that will be typical and private sector led and driven through Public Private Partnership (PPP) arraignment”.
The minister added that the new airline would operate into 81 routes for both its domestic and international operations. Enumerating the routes, Sirika said the new national carrier which would be driven through Public Private Partnership (PPP) would operate to 40 domestic routes and 41 international routes.
“We have selected 81 of those routes; 40 for domestic, regional and sub-regional and of course International routes, about 41. This airline because it is a PPP, the investors put in their money and strategic partners would decide who runs the airline. This airline is a business and not a social service.
He however allayed the fear of private airline operators in the country saying the new airline is not out to kill existing domestic airlines in the country but complement and promote aviation business.
“It is not intended to kill any airline in Nigeria but complement it and promote it. It must be done in a right way so that it would be here to stay. Government will not hold shares beyond 5 per cent at the top most. This airline is having the backing of the government. Government will come up with funding according to the Business Case that has been delivered to government.
The minister, who said the contributions of Nigerian youths to arriving at the name and logo of the airline, added that federal government would continue to engage more Nigerian youths at promoting the airline’s affairs even as he said it would reflect multicultural nature of nation through its diversity.
“We will engage the youth of Nigeria because we do believe in the “Not Too Young To Run”. We engage them in the campaign to name this airline. We engage 400,000 Nigerian youth to arrive at the name of the airline. All of their ideas were taken and digested and we came up with what is an average. The airline will take into cognizance the multicultural nature of nation through its diversity. We want to use this airline to make a statement that yes, can we do it. We want to use it to promote our culture and tradition.” Sirika said.
On the management of the new airline, the minister said, “There would not be a single government control of this airline. Not in management, not in human management. People who invest would determine that. We have a policy where employment goes to Nigerians fist before it goes outside”.
Sirika said “We will fast track our International Air Transport Association (IATA) membership and go through IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Audit soon. We are not afraid to go through this because we have demonstrated that Nigeria is a responsible state”.
Source: Africa Business Travel News.
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