….stakeholders were carried along on the roadmap
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika says, the national carrier, Nigeria Air project is on course despite the stiff opposition from some stakeholders including the Airline Operators of Nigeria, AON.
The minister denied knowledge of a suit alleged to have been filed by the AON at the Lagos High court seeking further stop to the deal between the Federal Government and Ethiopian airlines on the project.
He stated this during a meeting with stakeholders in Lagos to appreciate them for their patience for the period the Lagos airport runway airfield lightning installation lasted.
The aviation minister said, since the aviation roadmap was drawn and unveiled to the public, for every steps taken, stakeholders were carried along including the unions and airline operators.
According to him, he personally and through other formal means invited the operators to be part owners of the national carrier but refused giving different excuses, adding that, kicking against the choice of Ethiopian airlines as strategic investors was uncalled for.
”The Max air, the Azman, the Air peace, the Ibom, everybody, I meant them I told them please come and partner in this airline and owe it, it is meant for you the private sector and I went to them individually.
He said, no rationale court would stop anyone from starting a company, if it is true that the AON, had gone to court to stop the national carrier process.
”But I cannot see any rationale court that would say, am stopping somebody from establishing a company because Nigeria Air is a limited liability company known to Nigeria laws in the corporate affairs commission, if anybody wants to come and invest in that company of nigeria and there is no law in Nigeria that stops him from doing so”.
On the successful completion of the airfield ground lightning system installation on the local airport runway in Lagos, he assured stakeholders that, the present administration was committed to promoting safety.
Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, Captain Rabiu Yadudu said, the project was professionally delivered for 24 hours landings and take offs.
”No achievement comes bigger and better than enhancing their airfield capability”.
He commended President Mohammadu Buhari and the aviation minister for fulfilling their promises of delivering the project in record time after it was abandoned over 14 years ago.
