APC plans national Air Carrier for Nigeria – Kwankwaso

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

The All Progressive Congress, APC, has promised to take steps aimed at revitalizing the aviation industry in the country, including establishing a national airline in the country if the party wins the 2015 general elections.

Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso of Kano state dropped the hint during a dinner, organized by the state government to mark the commencement of Ethiopian Airlines operation at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), held at Government House on Friday night.

The governor said the move is part of the party’s deliberate attempts to strengthen the national economy and make life better for all Nigerians, lamenting that despite the importance of aeroplanes in the movement of people, goods and services, Nigeria does not have a national air carrier.

Kwankwaso also assured that all international airlines that have been denied permission to operate from MAKIA and other viable routes, under present PDP administration, would be granted consent to operate, if the APC takes over the mantle of leadership in the country.

“Airline business is a very lucrative business for the public private sectors because it contributes immensely to economic stability of countries besides being a safe, quick, efficient and reliable means of transportation”, Kwankwaso stated, pointing out that it is sad that some airlines were denied permission to operate at MAKIA.

The governor described the denial, which he alleged was designed to stagnate the economy of a section of the country, as a very unfortunate decision that has affected the development of the aviation sector, assuring that the sector would be better off under and APC administration at the center.

Turning to Ethiopian Airlines, Governor Kwankwaso described their operations from Kano as a step in building up Nigeria-Ethiopia relations, assuring that the state government would assist in whatever way possible to make their operations hitch free. He also urged the company to employ Kano state indigenes in various capacities especially in their Kano office.

In his speech, the Ethiopian ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Ali Abdo said Nigeria and his country have been friends for a very long time and are committed to promoting harmonious development and improvement of trade and investment links.