FG will continue to support Nigeria’s Airlines Flourish, Says PS Ministry of Aviation
The Federal Government of Nigeria will continue to support Nigeria’s Airlines to flourish and blossom, says Dr. Meribole.
Top is the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr Gatson Browne; Chairman of Air Peace Airline, Chief Allen Onyeama; and Director, Air Transport Management, Ministey of Aviation and Aerospace, Mr Hassan Ejibunu
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, Dr. Emmanuel Meribole has given assurance that the federal government will continue to initiate and implement policies that ensure Nigerian airlines benefit from the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) signed by Nigeria with other countries. Dr. Meribole stated this in St. John, capital of Antigua and Barbuda, Monday, 7th August, 2023 at the reception held by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to celebrate the commencement of direct flight between Nigeria and the Caribbean country by Air Peace Airline. The Permanent Secretary represented by the Director of Air Transport Management of the Ministry, Mr. Hassan Ejibunu commended Air Peace for recording another milestone, coming on the heels of the historic flight between Nigeria and Israel in April 2023 by the airline. He congratulated the government of both countries for the historic feat, as the journey to further cement their relationship in the areas of commerce, trade, and tourism had commenced. He noted that the people of both countries were bounded by common ancestry, and the separation between them was man made, which the flight commenced by Air Peace was meant to bridge. He expressed appreciation of the Federal Government of Nigeria to the Antiguan and Barbudan authorities for granting approval for the designation of Air Peace by the Nigerian Aeronautical Authorities to fly the Nigerian-Antiguan route.
The representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Bolaji Akinremi, who is the Director, Economic, Trade and Investment said the development signposted the beginning of a new fond relationship between Antigua and Barbuda in particular and the entire Carribean countries in general, as movement between Africa and the Caribbean would become easier and less stressful. He stated that the air connectivity was in sync with the Foreign Policy posture of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR of integrating the economy of Africa nations and the Carribean countries are considered as integral part of Africa as the fifth bloc. He assured that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would continue to do its best to foster the new fond relationship by promoting Bilateral Meetings between the business communities of both countries.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chairman of Air Peace, Chief Allen Onyeama thanked the Governments of both countries for believing in the capacity of Air Peace to operate on the route which he stated would open air connectivity between West Africa and the Caribbean countries. He assured the Government of Antigua and Barbuda that the operation had come to stay, as other positive things were bound to accompany it. He further assured that he would encourage Nigerian business community to see Antigua and Barbuda as the next business destination because of her rating in the Ease of Doing Business and other favourable conditions that makes investment to flourish in the country. He declared that Air Peace Airline was collaborating with the government of Antigua and Barbuda to float an Airline in which Air Peace would have substantial equity share. He informed the gathering that the airline on commencement of operations would cover the entire Carribean countries which would make air connectivity between Africa, the entire Carribean countries and Americas stress-free.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Mr. Gatson Browne stated that a new dawn had come into being in the relationship between Nigeria and Antigua and thanked Air Peace for bringing about the desired unity between his country and Nigeria. He underscored the ancestral linkage between the Caribbean nations and Africa, which he referred to as the Motherland. He stated that Antigua and Barbuda was home to every African and that his government was desirous of promoting economic and bilateral ties with African nations within the context of the South-South cooperation. He enjoined members of the business community from Nigeria on the trip to take advantage of the favorable economic policy of his government to invest in Antigua and Barbuda. He informed potential investors in manufacturing in Antigua and Barbuda of the opportunity of market accessibility to all the Caribbean countries. He reeled out some of the benefits and called on investors from Nigeria to take advantage of them to invest in Antigua and Barbuda He confirmed that his country was collaborating with Air Peace Airline to float an airline known as LIAT 2020 which would soon commence flight operations.
The Prime Minister urged Nigerian Government officials on the trip to help facilitate holding of a Business Forum meeting between Nigeria and Antigua & Barbuda,
In attendance at the reception were some members of the business community from Nigeria and top government functionaries from the Republic of Antigua and Barbuda.
