The Minister of Aviation- Hadi Sirika, announced that although it is currently suspended, the Nigeria Air project is still on the aviation roadmap of the Federal Government.
He said the proposed national carrier, Nigeria Air, will be executed, as he was greeted by employees of the Federal Ministry of Aviation after his inauguration.
“Nigeria Air is still on the roadmap. So, we need your support,” Sirika told his staff.
He added, “One aeroplane that comes into the country means 300 jobs. More than that is the catalyst for the economic growth of our country. It also adds to our gross domestic product.”
The returnee minister said he would further aim to raise the contribution of the aviation sector to the country’s Gross Domestic Product.
“What we have done is that we have raised the aviation contribution to GDP from 0.4 to 0.6 (per cent). I believe that in the coming year, we will get to one per cent at least,” he said.
He added, “I do believe that the aviation sector has a lot for Nigerians; it connects people, countries, continents, markets and be that catalyst that is missing to rejuvenate our economy. Having 200 million people in the centre of Africa is a huge advantage.”
This is as President Muhammadu Buhari has unbundled the Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, which was one until Wednesday when he separated Power from the trio, leaving the Works and Housing Ministry as an entity.
Fashola has been appointed as Works and Housing Minister; while Saleh Mamman,an Engineer, is Minister of Power.
Rotimi Amaechi has also been re-appointed as the Minister of Transportation and Gbemi Saraki as the Minister of State.
