Sirika dares domestic airlines, says no going back on Nigeria Air

The Federal Government says it has no plan to discontinue the proposed new national carrier, Nigeria Air, despite ongoing suit challenging the project.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, stated this on Tuesday during a stakeholders’ appreciation forum for the reconstruction of Lagos airport Runway 18L.

He said he individually engaged three indigenous carriers to participate in the project but they turned down the offer.

Sirika said, “I contacted Air Peace, Azman Air and Max Air but they turned down my invitation because it was not formal.

“I do not see the possibility of any court of competent jurisdiction will erect a road block to the emergence of the national carrier.

“I have been very transparent in the processes put in place to deliver the national carrier. If anyone wants to invest in a company, no one can stop them from investing. You can own a company 100 percent. If anyone wants to invest, why not ? We want foreign direct investment.”

He said it was unacceptable and unfair for stakeholders to claim that they had not been carried along on the national carrier project, adding that anybody who holding such information was working contrary to the actualisation of the aviation road map.

“Every information or documents pertaining to the project is domiciled at the ministry of aviation and Infrastructure Construction Regulatory Commission which are driving processes leading to the national carrier,” Sirika said.

He also spoke on the demolition of structures at the Lagos airport, stressing that there was no going back on the project to ensure Nigeria deliver state-of-the-art facilities that would transform into an aerotropolis.

The minister said Nigeria could not shortchange itself on the global move to deliver world-class air transport infrastructure as  obtainable in other developed countries such as United Arab Emirates and America.

“If I have my way, those structures from the local airport to Bristow will be demolished tomorrow and pave way for the emergence of a befitting airport city. Would you not like to see shopping mall, befitting car parks and other support facilities like you find in other parts of the world?” he said.

He said he would put measures in place to sustain the achievements in the aviation industry during the Buhari administration.