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FG Rules Out Arik Air as National Carrier

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* Okays N5.72bn for NDIC Buildings

By Mathew Dadiya, Abuja

The Federal Government Wednesday, rejected a proposal for the conversion of Arik Air into a national carrier rather than establishing a new one.

Arik Air was taken over by Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) in February 2017 owing to its failure to pay off its huge debts.

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika announced the government’s objection to the call while responding to questions by the State House correspondents after the weekly cabinet meeting chaired by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

 

The minister argued that “Arik Air is not suitable for a national carrier.

According to him, Arik Air business plan is not in conformity with the ideals of a national carrier. 

Managing Director of Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru had asked the federal government to convert Arik Air to a national carrier.

Kuru was said to had made the call on Monday, when he appeared before the senate committee on banking, insurance and other financial institutions.

Kuru explained that the airline had enough facilities already and it would be better for the government to use it as a stepping stone, advising that it would save the government extra cost of starting from scratch.

Meanwhile, the Federal Executive Council, Wednesday approved a total of N5.72 billion for construction and consultancy services for the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) offices. 

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed said that N3.23 billion was approved for construction of NDIC Zonal office in Bauchi State. 

According to her, N2.49 billion was approved for consultancy services for stage three work on NDIC corporate offices in Abuja and Lagos. 

Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that FEC also approved N574 million for insurance of College of Aviation in Zaria.

He also said that N271 million was approved for perimeter fencing of Port Harcourt International Airport, which was abandoned since 2011.

Also, the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who spoke on behalf of the Transportation Minister, said that FEC approved N718 million for the supply of land mobile security scanner for Lagos Port.

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Aviation

Passengers Stranded as NLC Locks Down Abuja Airport

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By Idris Umar Feta Abuja

Many air travellers were left stranded following the closure of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by officials of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Thursday.

A combined team of NLC and Trade Union Congress (TUC) blocked both the entry and exit ways of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.

The protest was part of the series of actions that the two labour unions say they would zero in on Imo, following the attack on the NLC president, Joe Ajaero.

The NLC and TUC had on Tuesday, declared a nationwide strike, which will commence on Tuesday, November 14, due to the face-off with the Imo State Government.

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Soludo Names Airport After  Achebe

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Anambra State Governor, Professor Charles Soludo has renamed the state’s International Passenger and Cargo Airport after the late Chinua Achebe, a novelist, to immortalise him for making an indelible mark on the history of human civilisation.

Achebe a native of Ogidi in Idemili North Local Government Area of the state, died on March 21, 2013, at age 82, in Boston, Massachusetts.

Soludo said this on Sunday in Awka at the Independence Day parade, to mark Nigeria’s 63rd anniversary, describing Achebe as an example of Africa’s unsung hero.

“Achebe, a Nigerian novelist, poet, and critic, gave the African literature an identity and a voice and he rightly reconstructed and refined the identify of the people,” he said.

The governor said that Achebe was not just an Anambra hero nor a Nigerian hero, but an African and global hero and yet largely unsung at home.

He said that henceforth, the state shall be deliberate in fishing out and celebrating its largely unsung heroes as motivation to children and youths.

“Unfortunately, some people wrongly think of legacies in terms of brick and mortar. Legacy is about impact on human life and human civilisation.

“Achebe was not a president or governor or military. He did not build bridges or roads or airports but he will outlive most presidents, governors and ministers in our minds.

“Achebe rejected Nigeria’s national honours twice in protest against what he perceived as injustice to his home state Anambra. Today, Anambra will finally honour him.

“After wide consultations, there is a broad consensus that no one is more deserving to be named after the first airport in Anambra than Anambra’s all-time greatest literary gift to the world, Chinua Achebe.

“Consequently, we will rename the Anambra International Cargo and Passenger Airport, Umueri, to Chinua Achebe International Airport, Umueri.

“Yes, it has to be an international airport, and we hope to work with the Federal Government to give full effect to its international status,” he said.

Soludo urged Nigerians to be intentional about making the project Nigeria work and believe in the potential greatness of the country.

“We have muddled through the past 63 years with squandered opportunities and yet with the promise of potential greatness

“No country or nation is a perfect. Every nation continues to struggle in its match to a more perfect union. The path to stability, growth and sustainability will be challenging as there are no quick fixes.

“But all of us must collectively think and work Nigeria out of the current challenges. We have no other country but Nigeria, and we must make it to work for everyone, “he said.

The governor said his administration was founded on the true progressive agenda and would continue to create the enabling environment for residents to thrive and survive.

The police, paramilitary organisations and students from different schools took part in the parade. (NAN)

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Abiodun flags off Aviation Village construction

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Abiodun flags off Aviation Village construction

Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Tuesday flagged off the construction of 200 units of two-bedroom expanded bungalows, at the Gateway Aviation Village, Iperu in Ikenne Local Government Area of the state.

The governor, represented by his Special Adviser on Housing, Jagunmolu Omoniyi, said the project would herald the creation of a new city in the town and serve the entire Remo cluster and the state in general.

He said the project was divided into two phases, with the first 100 units to be ready in six months.

According to the governor, the siting of the housing scheme would serve institutions and people who will make use of the Gateway Agro-Cargo Airport.

Abiodun noted that government agencies like the Customs, the Nigerian Air Force and other corporate bodies had already indicated interest in the airport.

He said that the project would create jobs for about 5,000 artisans of various skills in the course of execution.

“This is the people’s project. This housing scheme will complement the airport and serve those who will work in this town.

“I can assure you that within two years, the story of this town will change. We will not engage outsiders to work in this estate, but the people of this town.

“We have done similar projects at Kemta, Idi-Aba and Kobape. The siting of similar housing estate has changed the landscape of Kobape, which was a village before, to a lively city,” he said.

The governor called on prospective buyers to start the process by obtaining their forms, charging the people to support and take ownership of the project for the development of the town.

In his remarks, the Chairman of Ikenne Local Government Area, Mr Segun Ogunleye, expressed gratitude to the governor, saying with the siting of the housing estate and the cargo airport, the development of the town was assured.(NAN)

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