The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Aviation says it hasn’t selected any airline for the national carrier in the country.
This was disclosed in a statement issued to journalist by the Director of public affairs, Mr James Odaudu of the Ministry of Aviation Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“Our attention has been drawn to reports in some media to the effect that Qatar Airways has been chosen as the preferred bidder for Nigeria’s national carrier, ‘Nigeria Air.’”
Request for proposal
The report, which came just two days after the issuance of a request for proposal was published in local and international news media. “It is not only false, but capable of discrediting the process for the establishment of the airline, and discouraging interested parties.”
“We wish to state that throughout the process leading to the publication of the Request for Proposal, the guiding principle has been transparency and accountability which we promised will remain till the final delivery of the project.”
Process for selection
The ministry further stated that no corporate entity or individual has been appointed or selected for the project as the process for selection has just started with the Request for Proposal.
All interested partners and the public were advised to disregard the report and proceed with their proposals as the ministry assured them of their commitment to transparency and accountability till the end of the process.
“We wish to appeal to media practitioners to always confirm information from the right quarters before going to press so as to avoid misleading the public,” he explained.
Mr Odaudu who also explained that it is part of the commitment of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration to bequeath to the country, a national carrier that they would be proud of, which the Ministry is in line with.
Lateefah Ibrahim
