FG Committed To Take-off Of World Class National Carrier This Year – Sirika
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Federal Government has said that it is committed to the delivery of a world class management and operation of a National Carrier.
Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, who gave the assurance on behalf of the government also said that the proposed national airline for Nigeria would be unveiled before the end of 2018 as scheduled.
Sirika, who gave these assurances when he received in audience the Outline Business Case Certificate of Compliance from the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Engr Chidi Izuwah, said the presentation of the Certificate of Compliance was an official approval of the process through which the project has gone so far.
A statement by the Deputy Director Information in the ministry of Aviation, James Odaudu quoted Sirika as haven said that there is no doubt that the issue of national carrier for Nigeria is very close to the hearts of both the government and the people, which is the reason it has taken the option of a Public Private partnership with the belief that it was the only way to deliver a national carrier that would stand the test of time.
He commended the efforts of the Director General of ICRC and his team in ensuring that the National Carrier project remained on track through the observation of all legal aid regulatory frameworks.
Sirika expressed satisfaction with the way the Transaction Advisers have carried out their assignments with utmost diligence and timeliness. He however debunked claims that the National Carrier would sound the death knell for other airlines operating in the country.
According to him; “Nigeria, with a population of over 180million people with so many un-serviced routes, offered more than enough space for all serious airlines to operate profitably.”
Earlier, the Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission, Engr Chidi Izuwah said the presentation of the Certificate of Compliance was an official green light to proceed with the procurement process.
Izuwah said his Commission, in granting the Certificate reviewed the Project Structuring Report, also known as the Outline Business Case, in line with the ICRC Act of 2005.
He further said that the Certificate was granted on the condition that the Federal government is committed to leveraging on private sector capital and expertise towards the establishment of the national carrier through the provision of a Viability Gap Funding for the project.
The ICRC boss explained that other conditions for granting the Certificate of Compliance is an official commitment to zero contribution to airline management decisions and zero government, control
Izuwah warned that any attempt to impose government control would invalidate the Certificate and the entire process stressing that the PPP remains the only viable option for Nigeria in view of dwindling national resources.
