By Ignatius Ushie
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo has reiterated Government’s interest in investment in the Aviation sector. He said Nigeria’s arms are opened to investors.
In a statement made available to Transport Day in Abuja, Keyamo stated this made while receiving Egyptian Minister of Civil Aviation, Lt. Gen Mohammed Abbas Helmy (Rtd) in his office in Abuja.
While appreciating the Egyptian Civil Aviation team for their offers for Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul (MRO) services and other technical supports to Nigeria’s aviation sector, Keyamo said Nigeria Government is keen on transforming the Aviation industry by inviting innovative minds to help develop the sector.
He alluded that Nigeria is an attractive country to invest in owing to her population and available market for all.
According to the Minister,
“Most of African countries have run into liquidity and is affecting the aviation sector also. Africa has a liquidity problem and it has affected aviation sector development in terms of infrastructure: terminals, runways and safety equipment”,
Keyamo noted.
Responding, the Egyptian Aviation Minister, Lt.Gen Helmy (Rtd) said that the ambition and aspirations of Egypt and Nigeria are similar and only through cooperation can the experienced from both sides be put forward.
He noted that the civil aviation is one of the revenue generating income to national economy and that the Egyptian civil aviation is offering concessioning to run Nigerian airports, build airports in a manner that is sought by Nigeria through the private sector.
He added that the Egypt air company owns an MRO that is dedicated to give the adequate support which can also be an area of cooperation between the two countries.
He concluded by inviting the Minister and officials of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development to Egypt for an exploratory visit in Cairo sometimes in November this year.
