By ADAKU WALTER
The Federal Government has called for expression of interest on the proposed national carrier named Nigeria Air.
The Ministry of Aviation disclosed this in a statement on its Twitter handle, while the Minister, Hadi Sirika, announced that government would issue requests for proposals to intending investors.
He added that the government will acquire only five per cent of the airline shares and had already begun with the Air Operator Certificate (AOC).
“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Aviation, is seeking to reposition Nigeria’s aviation sector, as part of efforts towards the diversification of the economy, promoting competitiveness in the sector, boosting productivity and enhancing economic growth.
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“To this end, the Federal Ministry of Aviation is inviting interested private parties to submit proposals for the take-over and further development of the national carrier, the recently launched Nigeria Air to take advantage of the opportunities of the largest market in Africa,” the statement reads.
It added that interested bidders should visit a dedicated website for further information, breaking down percentages for different investors.
“The private sector partners/consortia are expected to comprise an international airline (max. 49 per cent shares), and Nigerian financial and institutional investors (46 per cent shares), so that the total shareholding of Nigerians will be a minimum of 51 per cent of the shares of Nigeria Air (including the five per cent non-interactive Federal Government share), as required by international laws for a national carrier,” it added.
