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Ethiopian Airlines not favorite to manage Nigeria Air —Sirika
The Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, has faulted the claim by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ethiopian Airlines, Tewolde Gebremariam, that the airline is the favourite to manage Nigeria’s new national carrier, Nigeria Air.
The disclosure was contained in a statement by the Deputy Director of Media and Public Affairs in the ministry, James Odaudu, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Sirika said that even if Ethiopian Airlines had tendered an offer to be partner, it is absurd and misleading for Ethiopian Airlines boss to make such a statement.
According to him, discussions are ongoing with prospective partners and investors ranging from development finance institutions, airlines and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Read Also: Ethiopian Airlines confirms it has submitted its bid to ‘establish’ Nigeria Air
“And these discussions are not limited to the establishment of a national carrier.
“There are other components of the Aviation Roadmap for which investors are being sought.
“These include the Establishment of an MRO centre, cargo terminals, Concession of airports, establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company etc.
“I don’t know about ET or any other prospective investors being favourites or frontrunners to establish and manage Nigeria Air.
“The Public and prospective partners and investors are hereby assured that the processes for the establishment of the national carrier, and indeed other projects in the roadmap have been guided, and would continue to be guided by the national policy on Public Private Partnership (PPP) and it’s elements of transparency, accountability and the overall public interest,” he said.
It would be recalled that Sirika had in July unveiled the new national airline at the Farnborough International Public Airshow in London, United Kingdom.
Last week, the Ethiopian Airline boss said his company is the frontrunner to set up and manage the new national carrier for Nigeria.
Gebremariam was quoted as saying, “We are among a small group with an interest in establishing a national carrier (in Nigeria)… we do not know the results (of the tender), though we are frontrunners.”
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