By Tobi Adebowale
The federal government on Monday in Abuja inaugurated a 13-member committee to consult with local and international partners for the establishment of a new national airline for Nigeria.
The country’s national carrier, Nigeria Airways, was liquidated in May 2003 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Previous administrations had made several attempts to resuscitate the airline but were unsuccessful.
The committee was inaugurated at the headquarters of the Federal Ministry of Aviation in Abuja, where the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Binta Bello, stated that the committee was set up based on the directive of President Muhammadu Buhari and expressed the hope that there would be a positive outcome this time.
The terms of reference of the committee, include, “reviewing previous consultants’ submission and recommendations on a national carrier; to invite submissions from the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria on the debt profile of the domestic airlines; and to consult widely with stakeholders on the establishment of a national carrier.
“Others are reviewing the report of the failure of Nigeria Airways and other private airlines; to consult with interested international partners on setting up a national carrier on public-private partnership basis; to develop the best model for the airline for Nigeria; and to consider any other matter incidental to any of the above terms.”
Members of the committee consist of past managing directors of domestic airlines, senior officials of international carriers operating in Nigeria, aviation union leaders and heads of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology.
Bello named a former Managing Director, Discovery Airlines, Capt. Mohammed Abdulsalam, as the chairman of the committee, adding that the committee has four weeks to complete its assignment.
President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier this month directed the permanent secretary to commence an action on the establishment of a befitting national carrier for Nigeria.
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