The Minister of State for Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika, has met and held a series of meetings with the proposed investors. In photos retweeted by the minister via his twitter handle @Hadisirika, it shows that the investors are not far from those that have been rumoured about.
It was reported earlier by the major news outlet that Qatar Airways and Ethiopian airlines are in talks to take over the 95% stake for the new Nigeria National Carrier.
Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines and other investors met the minister at the Farnborough International Airshow in London to further straighten their talk for the Nigeria Nationa Carrier Project, Nigeria Air.
Earlier this month, Sen. Hadi Sirika met with African export-import bank (AFREXIM) team as they show interest to invest in the National Carrier Project. African export-import bank (AFREXIM) has supported Ethiopian, Rwandan, Kenyan and South African.
AFREXIM met with me at home, in the early hours of today, eager to invest in the National Carrier Project. They supported Ethiopian, Rwandan, Kenyan, S/African etc. They are in Nigeria partly to see us, celebrate their 25 years of existence and to dole out $750M to BOI. ???????????????? pic.twitter.com/x2EHrgfmyp
— Hadi Abubakar Sirika (@hadisirika) July 11, 2018
When Sagetravels.com contacted one of the team members of Minister of State for Aviation to inquire if any investor or investors have been selected for the National Carrier, he disclosed that none has been selected. However, he noted that the selection process is in accordance with ICRC regulations.
No, it will be a competitive process in accordance with ICRC regulations. Qatar and Ethiopian alongside other prospective investors have indicated interest to participate in the procurement process. he said
Recall that the minister in Farnborough International Airshow, London, disclosed that the new Nigeria Air is strictly a private sector affair as the private sector will have upper hand more than the government.