Buhari regime selects Ethiopian Airlines to run Nigeria Air
The federal government has selected Ethiopian Airlines (ET) Consortium as preferred bidder for Nigeria Air, aviation minister Hadi Sirika noted on Friday during a media briefing in Abuja.
Mr Sirika said ET scored 89 per cent out of 100 as regards the technical bid and 15 out 20 as regards financial bid.
The minister explained that the Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Act, governed by Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission(ICRC) regarding the Nigeria Air was now completed.
“After a careful, detailed and ICRC governed selection process, Ethiopian Airlines (ET) Consortium has been selected as preferred bidder, offering an owner consortium of 3 Nigerian investors.
“The Nigerian investors are MRS, SAHCO and the Nigerian Sovereign Fund (46%), FGN owning 5% and ET 49%. The consortium has been subject to a due diligence process.
“The contract will be negotiated between consortium and FGN leading to a Full Business Case (FBC) which will be expected to be approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). We expect this process to take 6-8 weeks.”
The minister said the national carrier would be launched with three Boeing 737-800 in a configuration very suitable for the Nigerian market.
According to him, Nigeria Air will be launched with a shuttle service between Abuja and Lagos to establish a new comfortable, reliable and affordable travel between the two major Nigerian Airports.
Mr Sirika added that other domestic destinations would follow thereafter.
“The first aircraft is ready to arrive in Abuja for further work and NCAA inspection, demo flights and audit as part of the AOC requirements.
“In time, two others will arrive to complete the required three aircraft for a new AOC holder. The interim executive team has prepared, with the support of FAAN.
“The team has arranged for Terminal C at the Abuja Airport and finalised a contract with MMA 2 terminal in Lagos, for the operation of an initial shuttle between Lagos and Abuja,” he said.
He noted that the Operations Control Centre (OCC) at the Abuja Airport would act as Headquarters of the airline.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Abuja
FCT court jails FCDA employee Kingsley Eselebor for defrauding neighbour in failed land deal
The judge ordered that the prison terms should run concurrently, without an option of a fine.
Heading 4
FG pays N1.2 trillion power debt, targets 19,000MW transmission capacity
Mr Tegbe said the payment formed part of broader efforts to address liquidity challenges.
Economy
Tinubu to present 2027 budget in December: Minister
The presentation will allow the National Assembly to begin reviewing the 2027 budget ahead of the fiscal year.
States
Troops foil terrorists’ attack in Sokoto, rescue two abducted herders in Zamfara
The rescued victims were subsequently handed over to the Sabon Birni Local Government authorities.
Heading 2
Jury finds Tommy Robinson guilty of harassing Daily Mail journalists
Mr Robinson made social media posts encouraging the protesters.
States
Estate surveyors urge members to embrace AI, emerging technologies
The lecturer urged practitioners to move beyond established practices.
