By: Bayero Ade
The Federal Government has dismissed claims that it intends to revive the halted Nigeria Air project, which was initially a partnership with Ethiopian Airlines.
According to Vanguard, the clarification follows remarks made by Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, during a handover ceremony in Abuja. Kana had mentioned the national carrier project, leading to questions about the government’s stance on its revival.
Kana had stated: “My deployment to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development is timely. Upon receiving my letter of deployment, I was given two important tasks: to ensure the realization of the national carrier and to improve the state of our airports nationwide.”
However, in a statement released on Wednesday, Kana clarified that he did not intend to suggest the revival of the botched Nigeria Air project. He said, “Since my initial remarks on Monday, I have been asked numerous questions regarding my reference to reviving the national carrier. To be clear, I did not say there was a mandate to resurrect the failed Nigeria Air project with Ethiopian Airlines, nor have I received such instructions.”
Kana explained that his comments were about the administration’s broader goal of considering a national carrier, but only if it is in the best interest of the country and guided by the directives of the President and the Minister of Aviation.
Kana also pledged his full support for the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, saying, “I am committed to working closely with him to advance the ministry’s agenda and ensure that the future of aviation in Nigeria is bright and in line with the aspirations of our nation.”
The Nigeria Air project, originally launched by former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, was suspended amid corruption allegations. On August 6, 2024, Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa also issued a ruling halting the government’s plans for the national carrier.
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