Sirika Tackles Lai Mohammed, Says Nigeria Air Never Lacked Investors
The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika has disclosed that the national carrier, Nigeria Air, project was not suspended because of lack of investors.
Recall that a couple of hours ago, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed had disclosed that Nigeria Air was suspended due to investorโs apathy.
But, a statement by James Odaudu, Deputy Director, Media and Public Affairs, Ministry of Transportation, on Tuesday, said the national carrier project had an avalanche of well-grounded and ready investors.
The investors, according to Mr Sirika, include international finance institutions such as the Afro-Exim Bank, African Development Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, aircraft manufacturers โ Airbus and Boeing.
โThey also include airlines such as Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Air etc. and some reputable individuals and entrepreneurs.
โThe Office of the Minister of state for Aviation has noted, with consternation, various opinions, comments and observations in the media regarding the status and the reasons for the recent suspension of the processes leading to the establishment of a Nigerian national carrier.
โAmong the reasons being given for its suspension, especially in the social media is the absence of interested and ready investors.
โThis couldnโt be farther from the truth, as the national carrier project has an avalanche of well-grounded and ready investors,โ he said.
The minister also stated that the countryโs participation at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kingdom in July was not for the sole purpose of unveiling the Nigeria Air logo contrary to public belief.
He explained that the air show was also a meeting point with those potential investors who saw the event as another opportunity to market and re-emphasize their interests in the project.
โIt is also pertinent to clarify that the Federal Executive Council only suspended the process for the establishment of the national carrier for the time being.
The project has not been killed,โ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Mr Sirika had on September 19, announced the decision of FEC to suspend the project for โstrategic reasonsโ without giving further details.
The decision has elicited reactions from many stakeholders and other Nigerian who have suggested different reasons for the suspension of the project.
