FG Inaugurates C’ttee on National Carrier

 Muhammadu Buhar

Dele Ogbodo in Abuja

Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive that the Ministry of Aviation should commence work on the establishment of a national carrier, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Binta Bello, monday inaugurated the committee on the establishment of the country’s flag carrier.

Speaking at the inauguration in Abuja,  Bello charged members of the committees to pursue the assignment with all seriousness because of its national importance.

According to her,  the inauguration of the committee became imperative in view of the interest shown by the president which prompted his  marching orders to the ministry to immediately commence the process of establishing a national carrier.

While underscoring  the establishment of a national carrier, Bello said it was not only justified by economic considerations, but also strategic national interest, national pride and job creation potential.

The  committee, which has a former Managing Director of Discovery Airlines, Captain Muhammad Abdullahi, as Chairman, is charged with reviewing previous consultants’ submissions and recommendations on a national carrier.

She said: “The committee must expand it searchlight by  reviewing  the report on the failure of the defunct Nigeria Airways and other failed private airlines.

The committee also has the mandate to consult widely with stakeholders on the establishment of a national carrier, including interested international partners on setting up a national carrier on the basis of Public Private Partnership (PPP) strategy.

The permanent secretary also charged the committee to invite the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) to determine the debt profile of domestic airlines to serve as a guide in its recommendations, and to develop the optimum model for a national flag carrier for the country.

Responding on behalf of other members, abduction, regretted the issues that led to the collapse of the defunct Nigeria Airways and promised that they would develop an economically robust model that would stand the test of time and meet the aspirations of Nigeria as a nation.

The committee has four weeks to complete its assignment and submit its report.