National Carrier: BMO Lauds Buhari, Says Nigeria Loses $6.4bn annually
BY EDMOND ODOK, ABUJA – The Buhari Media Organisation (BMO) says the logo unveiling and planned take-off of Nigeria Air by December 2018 is a ‘most welcome development’ and puts Nigeria on the path to becoming an aviation hub in sub-Saharan Africa
This is even the organization expressed regrets that the country loses over $6.4 billion annually due to the non-existence of a national carrier to compete in the global air space
According to the BMO, the development is commendable as it represents another promise kept and further testimony of President Muhammadu Buhari administration’s commitment to correct all past wrongs in the country.
The organization expressed happiness that efforts of government have moved beyond completing abandoned projects to resurrecting dead projects that remained the bane of sustainable development over the years.
A statement by BMO in Abuja praised President Buhari for resurrecting the Nigeria Airways 15 years after the PDP-led administration buried the national carrier in 2003.
Signed by its Chairman, Mr Niyi Akinsiju, BMO said the move, including the acquisition of new Boeing aircrafts, goes to confirm the Federal Government’s resolve to make Nigeria the aviation hub for west and central Africa.
“This is a most welcome development which will benefit the country in more ways than one, another promise kept and a further proof of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to correcting the wrongs of the past”, the group said.
Noting that many Nigerians were justifiably pessimistic when Buhari promised to revive the Nigerian Airways liquidated by former President Obasanjo in 2003, the BMO said; “When the then Candidate Buhari gave his words on the National Carrier, many people who had been told that a government owned airline was not viable felt he was playing to the gallery, but it is now clear that the President is a man of his words.”
The organization, which blamed failed promises of past governments for such cynicism, said the logo unveiling should put to rest all doubts on the revival of the airline which some had touted as just another gimmick by political actors.
“Many older Nigerians would recall that as at 1984 when Buhari was then a military ruler, Nigerian Airways had 34 aircraft, so he was understandably shocked that smaller countries were running well-managed airlines with private sector support and laid the groundwork for what we are seeing now”, BMO said.
Applauding the new national carrier as just one aspect of an Aviation master-plan, BMO said the country would be better off with the total package that includes maintenance, repair and overhaul centre; an aviation leasing company; and airport concessioning.
The organization, which acknowledged that the package is designed to position Nigeria as a thriving aviation industry in Africa, lauded Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika for supporting President Buhari’s dream from the planning to execution stage.
BMO however urged the government to ensure the December take-off date is not tampered with, advising that President Buhari must draw lessons from the blunders of previous administrations by ensuring the public/private partnership deal is perfect to achieve government’s profit goal within three years of operation
The Organisation said huge benefits will accrue to Nigeria from its investment in a new national carrier, even as it regretted that the absence of a national carrier is costing Nigeria $6.4 billion annually.
It blamed the unhealthy development on the country’s inability to reap the benefits from 78 Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASA) due to non-payment of royalty by foreign carriers.
