The Nigerian aviation industry professional body, Aviation Round Table, ART has advised the federal government to be cautious in its approach for the establishment of a new national carrier.
The Aviation Round Table in a press statement made available to the Media on Friday, June 8, stated that the body is not in sync with the committee made up of Government agency heads to midwife the process of setting up the proposed National Carrier.
The ART explained in the statement that an ideal national carrier must be domestically registered with support and encouragement of the citizens through the objective actions of government irrespective of party affiliation.
The body said it expect the government to carefully and transparently work out the involvement of operating local airlines that may be seriously considered.
ART noted that: “The probability of the directed committee’s emotional influence on the finished product is not very encouraging.
We would perhaps encourage not just a minimal involvement of Government in the process but also her restriction to establishing a level playing field for the Nigerian public’s participation as investors.
If and when as expected, this process goes ahead towards the finish line, it would be helpful to consider the employment of reputable headhunters in the nomination of even the startup management team as “management challenges” played a prominent role in the demise of previous failed attempts”.
It is also pointed out that the concurrent missteps of participation in the past, contributed to make such projects a mirage.
It urged the government to carefully and transparently work out the involvement of operating local airlines that may be seriously considered.
ART concluded in the statement that: “Our position is patriotic and so geared toward avoiding the possible colossal and usual loss of both revenue and man hours from our commonwealth as experienced with the past unguided attempts. Whichever way it goes, we wish our dear country Nigeria the very best”.
