FG Sets New Deadline To Deliver Nigeria Air

The federal government has promised to deliver Nigeria Air, the new national carrier before the tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari ends in 2023.

This promise was made by the Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika on Tuesday while addressing newsmen on the sidelines of his ministry’s 2021 budget defense before the Senate Committee on aviation.

According to him, the current administration has not given up on giving the country a new national carrier, and plans are been worked out for the implementation of the project.

Sirika explained that, “We are on it. 

“The transaction adviser has brought in the outline business case.

“It is being reviewed by ICRC.

“Soon after it finishes, it will go to FEC and it will be approved.

“We will not leave this government without having it in place.”

Federal government had in July 2018, announced the new name and unveiled the logo for the nation’s new national carrier as “Nigeria Air.”

Minister Hadi Sirika, made the disclosure in London at the Farnborough Air fair.

On why Farnborough was chosen for the unveiling, the FG disclosed that it is one of the biggest Airshows in the world, where decision makers and industry experts gather every two years to do business. Adding that the new National Carrier will bring Nigeria closer to the world.

However, only a few months after the funfair that accompanied the unveiling of the new name and logo, the federal government announced the suspension of the planned national carrier.

Sirika, on his Twitter handle, @hadisirika, tweeted: “I regret to announce that the Federal Executive Council has taken the tough decision to suspend the National Carrier Project in the interim. All commitments due will be honoured. We thank the public for the support as always.”

With the new promise made to Nigerians by the aviation minister on Tuesday, it is hoped that the government will not go back on its words again, but complete the project on schedule and place the country where it rightfully belongs in the comity of nations on the issue of aviation.