Sirika Confirms Nigeria Air Is Ready To Fly Before Buhari Leaves, Despite Court Restriction.
Recently, the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has assured Nigerians that the country’s national carrier, ‘Nigeria Air’ will take off before the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure on May 29, 2023.
This was announced by the minister while answering questions from State House correspondents at the end of Wednesday’s cabinet meeting, stating that all conditions had been satisfied and the aircraft to be deployed were also ready.
Hear him, “Nigeria Air Limited, I did say that we will get it going before the end of this administration and I’ve not withdrawn my words.
“We have everything in place, the aircraft are in place, the offices, operational centres, the staffing and everything that we need to have in place. We’re doing the last-minute checks and waiting for the issuance of the AOC and it will fly.
“It will fly, it will be for the benefit of this country, for the size of population, the travelling public and what it does to the economy, especially to tourism, to African integration and to the AU Agenda 2063.”
“It’s a very important project and I must do; it will happen before the end of our tenure in the next four weeks and two days,” he added.
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Lagos has barred the Director-General of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), from issuing an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to Nigeria Air.
The suit was filed by a group of domestic airlines seeking to stop the government from partnering with Ethiopian Airlines to float the airline.
The minister added that all issues behind the strike actions embarked upon by aviation workers had been resolved.
He continued: “The strike is that of the Nigerian aviation workers, who are striking principally for three reasons. Reason number one, they said the conditions of service for the agencies. Number two, is minimum wage implementation and number three, they’re talking about the demolition of the headquarters or the office of FAAN in Lagos.
“Condition of service is not in our hands, it’s in the Salaries and Income Wages. I personally as the minister went there with the union three times to fast-track that process.
“So that’s being looked at by the appropriate authority and I think they are fast-tracking it. On the implementation of the minimum wage, that’s also Accountant General’s Office, Ministry of Finance and the agency concerned are working hard to ensure that that happens.”
“Lastly on the demolition of the FAAN headquarters to erect offices, shopping malls and make it what you see when you travel abroad. That is also ongoing. If you ask me, make me an omelette, you can’t complain that I’m breaking your egg. That’s a quotation from one of the Managing Directors of FAAN. That said, I think it’s been overhyped, taken out of context,” he added.
(Saharareporters)