Sirika confirms Nigeria Air to take flight before May 29 despite delays
…as FGN sets delivery dates for Lagos-Ibadan Road, 2nd Niger Bridge
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has reiterated his commitment to the launch of Nigeria Air, the country’s national carrier, before May 29th.
Despite a Federal High Court order that prevents the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) from issuing an Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) to Nigeria Air Limited, following a suit filed by domestic airliners challenging the equity structure of the airline, the minister said that all necessary arrangements had been made for the airline to begin operations.
In an interview with State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, Sirika said that the aircraft, offices, operational centers, and staffing were all in place, and that the airline would benefit the country’s population, the traveling public, and the economy. He also highlighted the potential benefits to tourism, African integration, and the AU Agenda 2063.
Responding to questions about a recent strike by aviation workers, the minister said that the Nigerian aviation workers were striking for three main reasons: conditions of service for the agencies, implementation of the minimum wage, and the demolition of the headquarters of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) in Lagos.
Sirika explained that the conditions of service were not under his control, but rather the responsibility of the Salaries and Income Wages. He also said that the implementation of the minimum wage was being addressed by the Accountant General’s Office, Ministry of Finance, and the relevant agencies.
Regarding the demolition of the FAAN headquarters, he emphasized that the wooden structure, which had caught fire twice, was not suitable for the agency’s office and that it was being replaced with modern offices, shopping malls, cinemas, and other facilities.
In addition, the Ministry of Works and Housing has announced delivery dates for key projects executed by the current administration. These include the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and two sections of the Abuja-Kano Expressway.
Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who briefed correspondents on behalf of his Works and Housing counterpart, Babatunde Fasola, said that the Lagos-Ibadan Road would be delivered by April 30th, while the Second Niger Bridge would be delivered by May 15th.
He also disclosed that FEC approved a N1.398 billion variation for the completion of the second phase of the Uto Bridge in Delta state.
“The first memo he presented today was a memo seeking approval for revised estimated total cost of a contract for the completion of Phase 2 of Uto Bridge, 2.6 kilometer stretch in Ikenke, Delta State. This is an old project which we are committed to completing, I think the project was awarded in year 2006, but we are committed to completing it so today the FEC approved the sum of N1.398 billion to revise the contract from the N4.435 billion to N5.835 billion, inclusive of 7.5% VAT, to ensure that we’re able to complete this project before we leave.
“Also the Minister of Works brought approval for the ongoing bypassing, I think along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, but the good thing about this project is that we can very confidently and proudly announce that the Kano-Zaria 137 kilometer and the Zaria-Kaduna, 73 kilometers, will be handed over to us on May 15. Ditto the Second Niger Bridge will be handed over to us on May 15, the Lagos-Ibadan 116 kilometers, with toll gates, will be handed over to us on April 30
“The Loko-Oweto Bridge is also completed, so also is the Ikom Bridge completed. Our Federal Secretariats in Nasarawa, Awka, Bayelsa and Zamfara State are also completed and the Zuba housing project, 700 apartments, they’re also already for commissioning”, he said.
During his briefing, the Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah said council approved an estimated N32.4 billion for the completion of the National Library of Nigeria headquarters building complex in Abuja.
He said: “The Federal Ministry of Education presented a memo for approval for the revised estimated total cost of contract for the completion of the construction of National Library of Nigeria headquarters building complex in Abuja, the revised estimated cost is N32.4bn.
“The scope of work for the project includes the construction of a concrete structure consisting of 11 floors, two basement floors and eight upper floors for housing bookstore, locker rooms, bindery, printing press, restaurants, clinic, creches changing rooms exhibition hall, auditorium, cataloguing, general reference areas, legal deposits, office for the administration book stacks, reading areas, electronic data processing center, library research and training center public convenience and underground car pack furnishing as well as perimeter fencing, gates and gatehouses, internal roads, electrical and mechanical services and other external works”, he said.
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