The Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, in collaboration with key stakeholders, convened a Stakeholders’ Engagement on the Fly Nigeria Act and related legislation in Abuja the nation’s capital.
The Stakeholders Engagement had in attendance many aviation Stakeholders from the government to deliberate on the proposed Fly Nigeria Bill.
One of the major things that the bill “Fly Nigeria” seeks to achieve is to make it mandatory for the Government to finance air transportation of government personnel, contractors, grantees, and properties to be carried by Nigeria Air flag carriers.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo noted that the bill aims to strengthen local airlines in Nigeria and pave the way to compete with other international airlines operating in the country.
“We are concerned about the current mortality of airline companies in the country, so on this note, we at the government site intend to create an enabling environment for them to ensure that where the previous government failed is addressed.
“What the bill is seeking to address is to make it compulsory for any government officials at Federal, State, and Local government traveling for any official assignment outside the country to prioritize Fly Nigeria carrier before the international airlines like: Delta Force, Lufthansa, British Air, or France Air.
We have the Manpower, the resources, and the flights that can do this.”
In his remark, former Minister of Aviation Dr. Babatunde Omotoba commended the initiative of the minister for reviving the bill and said the bill was proposed more than a decade ago.
In their remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Air Peace, Allen Onyema, and Chairman of United Nigeria Airlines, Professor Obiara Okoronkwo, lauded the Minister and the Policies put in place to assist the local operators and the civil aviation industry in Nigeria and beyond.
After the Stakeholders’ Engagement, a committee was inaugurated by the minister that will work on the drafted bill for some adjustments where necessary before a public hearing by the federal lawmakers on aviation.
At the end of the meeting, the Stakeholders supported the adoption of the Fly Nigeria Act to enhance the capacity and competitiveness of Nigeria’s national carriers, promote national pride, and improve service delivery in the aviation sector.
If the bill is assented into law, it will strengthen the Civil aviation industry, increase revenue generation, and support domestic airlines’ sustainability in the country.
Olusola Akintonde
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