Nigeria Air: Why Nigerian government suspended national carrier – Lai Mohammed

The Nigerian government has given reasons for the suspension of the country’s national carrier, Nigeria Air.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed disclosed that Nigeria Air was suspended due to investor’s apathy.

Recall that the Minister of State for Aviation, Hadi Sirika, a few weeks ago revealed that Nigeria Air, which was supposed to begin operations in December, has been suspended indefinitely by the federal executive council.

However, addressing journalists on Monday at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, the Minister said investors who were supposed to partner with the government on the project, backed out.

“If the understanding of government at the beginning was that the project might be self-financing or the project would be financed by investors and you think that such a project can no longer be sponsored by investors, either because they are not forthcoming or such venture can no longer be viable, the government is at the discretion to take a decision.

“The position of government in business is to provide the enabling environment and it is not to become the sole source of finance or funding and in addition, there is much more than funding in trying to get our national carrier. So, the Federal Government thinks this thing should be stepped down now until we get a better funding structure.”