Nigeria’s Senate Chambers
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has called on the concern ministry and government agencies to explore ways and means to establish a profit making national airline.
Senator Akpabio while speaking at the red chamber said a well thought out national airline to be managed by patriotic Nigerians would surely reduce the burden Nigerian travelers are often subjected on their international travels.
The Senate President who travelled in time to recall that the defunct national airline once had about 40 aircraft in its fleet and the presently improved and broadened international trade relations that Nigeria as a nation and her business men had actively involved made it imperative for a profit driven national carrier for business and leisure travels.
Earlier when a report was made on the floor that the flag carrier that service Zinghou and Abuja/Lagos was severally denied slots that commensurate to the one enjoyed by Chinese airlines, Godswill Akpabio, warned that Nigeria might be compelled to reconsider the privileges granted to Chinese airlines if Nigerian carriers were not allowed reciprocal access to operate direct flights to China.
Consequently, the senate unanimously agreed that the Ministry of Aviation should renegotiate the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, in a way that the principle of reciprocity remains sacrosanct in the agreement.
However, the Senate President added that other trade agreement apart from air travel might have to be reconsidered if Nigerian flag carriers were not allowed reciprocal access to operate direct flights to China.
The above resolution culminated from a motion sponsored by Senator Tahir Monguno, the Chief Whip, who called the attention of members to the need to enforce and review the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, with China if any.
Munguno enunciated that Nigeria and China had significant populations of citizens living in each other’s territories thus generating substantial demand for direct air connectivity.
He argued that a more balanced agreement would improve on travel time, improve supply-chain efficiency, increase trade and reduce foreign exchange outflows connected with international travel.
Monguno stated thus, “the population of Nigerians in China is more than 1 000,000 people, while that of China in Nigeria is more than 500, 000 and this has generated the interest of China in Nigeria because it is Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy.”
The Senate also noted the growing trade relationship between both countries and the need for Nigeria to maximize the economic benefits of that partnership.
Earlier in the debate, the Senate President asked rhetorically for the wisdom in reviving an airline that had long ceased operations. ‘We can’t revive what is already dead”. And he lamented, “Did Nigerian Airways ever work?’
Also, at a juncture in the discussion Senator Ned Nwoko, fervently urged on the Federal Government to reconsider the establishment of a national airline to assuage burden of international trips Nigerians, especially the business community were often forced to contend with.
Sen Nwoko’s submission invoked diverse reaction and various sentiments were freely expressed by the distinguished senators.
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