The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has revealed that Nigeria is missing out on the annual $6 trillion global cargo market.
Keyamo disclosed this on Monday while speaking at the Ministerial Sectorial update to mark President Tinubu’s one year in office.
He added that “the Tinubu-led administration is almost close to tapping into the benefits of the global aviation market, via the several holistic approaches it is already employing to amend the practice and give investors confidence.
“We are almost there, you will be proud of us. We are going to ammend our practice, so that we can give confidence to our investors. The Nigeria Air, which was unveiled by the Buhari-led administration was a sham. There was never anything like Nigeria Air, Ethiopia Airline cannot fly Nigeria Air.
“It was Ethiopia airline but painted as Nigeria Air. It is not air Nigeria. If it is so, why not allow our local people to fly our flag. Why bring a foreigner to fly our flag? So, nobody should deceive you, that is not Nigeria Air.”
While highlighting the achievements of the present administration, Keyamo further revealed that a Memorandum Understanding (MoU), to revive cargo flight operation between Nigeria and Saudi Araba is already at the final stage.
“The MoU, when concluded, will result in direct flight from Saudi Arabia to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA). During my recent visit to Saudi Arabia, I worked towards reviving long-dormant cargo flight operations between Nigeria and the country.”
He also listed the achievements of the ministry to include revitalizing the Hajj Terminals nationwide that had been neglected and left in a dilapidated state for many years.
“I personally visited the Pilgrims on their maiden flight in Kebbi State and Abuja before their departure to the holy land, ‘’ keyamo said.
The Minister mentioned the commencement of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the African Aviation and Aerospace University (AAAU) in Aviation Business, Meteorology and Environmental Sciences, and inter ministry collaboration with the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, aimed at enhancing travellers’ identification management and facilitating efficient border management
as one of the many achievements of the Ministry within a year.
