FG Suspends Nigeria Air Scandalous Project, Ordered International Airlines To Relocate To Terminal 2

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has said that the Federal Government has suspended the controversial Nigeria Air project pending thorough audit of the exercise alongside other agreements and relationships entered by his predecessor.

According to him, all arrangements under his predecessor, Hadi Sirika, including the planned Nigeria Air, have been put on hold, to enable proper audit of contracts.

The minister, who also took a bus ride to inspect the perimeter fence of Murtala Muhammed International Airport [MMIA] , said his focus is on aviation safety.

In June, veteran aviator, Girma Wake, resigned as Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines amidst controversy surrounding the establishment of Nigeria’s national carrier, Nigeria Air.

Earlier, the Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, Capt Dapo Olumide, said the aircraft used to unveil the country’s national career was a legitimate chartered flight from Ethiopian Airlines, adding that the aircraft was returned to Ethiopian Airlines after the unveiling on the last day of the Muhammadu Buhari administration in May.

Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation had both labelled the launch of the Nigeria Air as a fraud.

The minister also directed all international airlines to vacate the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, MMIA, from October 1, 2023.

According to him, is to give room for total maintenance work at the airport and companies operating in the airport to move to the new terminal – MMIA Terminal 2.

He said: “All airlines should vacate the MMIA before October 1 and relocate to MMIA Terminal 2.”

By Our Correspondent