Aviation Reforms: Government suspends Nigeria Air, closes Lagos Airport old terminal for repairs October

*Festus Keyamo, Minister for Aviation, assures industry  stakeholders of reforms, stating that all arrangements under Hadi Sirika, his predecessor,  including the planned yet controversial Nigeria Air, have been suspended for proper audit of contracts

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

In line with imminent reforms in the country’s aviation industry, the Federal Government suspended all arrangements under Hadi Sirika, ex-Minister for Aviation, including the highly controversial Nigeria Air project for proper audit of contracts.

The government also disclosed that all international airlines operating from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, in Lagos, are expected to move from the old international terminal building due for repairs to the new terminal building effective October 1, 2023.

Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, Honourable Minister for Aviation

ConsumerConnect reports Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, Honourable Minister for Aviation, who disclosed these developments Thursday, August 31 during his tour of aviation facilities at the MMIA, said the old international terminal building would be shut down for the habilitation.

The Minister, who assured the stakeholders of needed reforms in the country’s aviation sector, noted that all arrangements under Hadi Sirika, his predecessor,  including the planned Nigeria Air, had been suspended for proper audit of contracts.

Keyamo stressed his  focus as the Minister is on aviation safety.

Controversy surrounding activation of Nigeria Air project

Recall veteran aviator, Girma Wake, July this year, resigned as Chairman of Ethiopian Airlines amid the festering controversy surrounding the establishment of the national carrier, Nigeria Air.

Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Aviation, on how the deal was reportedly shrouded in secrecy, had described the launch of the Nigeria Air by the former Minister as a fraud.

However, Capt Dapo Olumide, Interim Managing Director of Nigeria Air, later told the Federal lawmakers in the National Assembly (NASS), in Abuja, FCT, that the aircraft used to unveil the country’s national career by Sirika was “a legitimate chartered flight” from Ethiopian Airlines.

Olumide also said the aircraft was returned to Ethiopian Airlines after the unveiling on the last day of the Muhammadu Buhari administration May 29, 2023.