Posted by Sade Williams
A non-governmental organization, Aviation Round Table (ART), has called on the Federal government to be transparent and professional in all the processes that will lead to the establishment of a national carrier.
The ART in a statement signed by Olumide Ohunayo, a member of the group, cautioned the Federal government on the formation of a committee that is to look into the starting of the carrier, saying such is questionable as the committee consist government agencies.
The group noted further 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, but ‘it is not in sync with the committee made up of Government agency heads to midwife the process of setting up the proposed National Carrier.
“We as professionals in the industry are advising a cautious approach to this project. 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 said.
The professional group noted again that the concurrent missteps of participation in the past, had contributed to make such projects a mirage’, adding, ‘we expect government to carefully and transparently work out the involvement of operating local airlines that may be seriously considered.
“ART’s 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”, it said..