Nigeria Air will fly before May 29 — Aviation Minister insists

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika has promised that the national carrier, Nigeria Air, will begin operations before May 29.

He made the statement while briefing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by the vice-president, Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

“Regarding Nigeria Air, yes, we are on course; and by the Grace of God, before President Muhammadu Buhari leaves office, it will fly.

“We are on course; before May 29, Nigeria Air will fly,” he said.

This is coming few days to the ende of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The minister continued saying that something important happened in the aviation industry with FEC’s approval of the Aviation Leasing Company.

He added that the council also approved the sum of ?3.5 billion for a contract for photometric and taxiway lights for Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt airports.

“Something very significant has happened in the world of civil aviation; part of our road map, the Aviation Leasing Company has been established and approved by the council.

“Therefore, operators in civil aviation will have access to this equipment at an affordable rate and within our country, Nigeria; this is part of the roadmap. So, the roadmap is gradually coming to 100% completion.

“Second memo was an award of contract for the procurement and installation of taxiway lights and photometric patterns for Port Harcourt, Lagos, Abuja, and some other equipment all over the country.

“The total sum of the contract for photometric and taxiway lights is ?3.5 billion with 7.5% VAT and 12 months completion period,” he said.

On his part, Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, confirmed the council’s decision to approve 37 new private universities across the country.

He said that by the foregoing, the present administration had surpassed any other administration in terms of establishing universities.

“37 new private universities have been licensed and that will make this admiration probably the most university–friendly administration because we have so far established 72 universities.

“14 by the Federal Government, 21 by states, and 37 by private; so, in total, we have 72 new universities from 2015 to date.

“And today I am announcing 37 new private universities,” he said.