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FG to improve intra-African air transportation

By BusinessNews Staff on August 7, 2014

The Federal Government on Tuesday said it would ensure improvement in intra-Africa air transportation to boost trade across the continent.

The Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka, said this while playing host to the Rwandan Ambassador to Nigeria, Joe Habinaza.

Habinaza had earlier urged the Federal Government to allow Rwanda Air to start operating in Abuja.

Responding to the request, Chidoka stated that the Federal Government would expedite action on plans to promote intra-African traffic and boost trade on the continent.

He said, “One of our goals is that we are considering how to improve intra-African traffic. Trade in Africa is essentially very important to us and I do not believe that Africa can make progress without safe, secured and improved transportation system within African capitals.

“Gone are the days when people had to go to Europe just to come to an African country. We’ve made some progress but we’ve got to quicken that. So, for us, all the issues concerning request for freedom; in fact, we are turning a new leaf in the ministry to give them expedited action.

“There are going to be timelines on them to make sure that we do our own part in promoting intra-African trade. We believe that air transport is a major pivot in Africa, especially when considering the current passenger traffic within the continent.”

Habinaza stated that he was in the ministry to request for the permission of the Federal Government to allow Rwanda Air to fly into Abuja, and pledged his country’s willingness to cooperate with the Federal Government.

“Rwanda has been privileged to fly into Nigeria. Our airline, Rwanda Air, flies into Lagos four times a week and particularly, Lagos to Accra and back. I’m here to request for additional frequency into Abuja and I hope this will be granted,” he said.

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