Hadi Sirika, minister of state
for aviation, says it is untrue that the Nigeria Air project was suspended over
lack of investors.
In a statement issued on his
behalf d by James Odaudu, deputy director, media and public affairs, ministry
of transportation, Sirika said a number of “well-grounded” investors were ready
to key into the project.
The minister’s comment
contradicts that of Lai Mohammed, his information counterpart, who had told
reporters on Monday that investors who were supposed to partner with the
government on the project were no longer forthcoming.
“If the understanding of
government at the beginning was that the project might be self-financing or the
project would be financed by investors and you think that such a project can no
longer be sponsored by investors, either because they are not forthcoming or
such venture can no longer be viable, the government is at the discretion to
take a decision,” he had said during the official opening of LSG Sky Chefs, an
in-flight catering facility, in Lagos.
But in a statement, Sirika said
at the Farnborough air show in UK where the logo of Nigeria Air was unveiled in
July, some “potential investors” emphasised interest in the national carrier.
“The Office of the Honourable
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,” the statement read.
“Among the reasons being bandied
around for its suspension, especially in the social media is the absence of
interested and ready investors. This couldn’t be farther from the truth, as the
national carrier project has an avalanche of well-grounded and ready investors.
“These include international
finance institutions such as the Afro-Exim Bank, African Development Bank,
Standard Chartered Bank, aircraft manufacturers – Airbus and Boeing, airlines
such as Ethiopian Airlines, Qatar Air etc. and some reputable individuals and
entrepreneurs.
“The office also wants to clarify
that the country’s participation at the Farnborough Air Show in the United
Kingdom in July was not for the sole purpose of unveiling the Nigeria Air logo
as the public is being made to understand.
“It was also a meeting point with
these potential investors who saw the event as another opportunity to market
and re-emphasize their interests in the project.
“It 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. Theses clarifications have been made in the public interest.”
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