Eight years after the liquidation of Nigeria Airways, the Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, has said the Federal Government will establish a new national carrier next year.The minister said this on Tuesday during an open chat with her followers on the social networking medium, Twitter.Responding to questions from our correspondent, she said the Federal Government was working on a new model for the proposed carrier.According to her, the funding and ownership for the new airline will not be like that of the defunct Nigeria Airways, which was wholly owned by the government.Nigeria Airways was liquidated in May 2003 by the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.However, there have been calls for a new national carrier to boost the nations image internationally and to realise the dream of making Nigeria an air transport hub.The minister said, "Were working on a national carrier that will be publicly owned with limited financial contribution by the government. Government will act as a regulator and provide an enabling environment for this objective to be achieved."We recently reviewed the models of national carriers in other countries and we are working on the best solution for Nigeria. We are working to deliver the national carrier by next year."She also tactically dropped the hint that the government had modified President Goodluck Jonathans campaign promise to build an airport in every state of the federation. According to her, the government has decided to apply funds to areas of need in the sector."Weve realised that we dont need an airport in every state. However, state governments are free to build if they so desire," she explained.Pressed by a participant for comment on whether that meant that Jonathans promise had been jettisoned, she replied, "That is not the case. Airport development projects funded by the Federal Government will be based on need, while others can be funded by the states."Oduah also stated that airports in the country would be remodelled into different categories, adding that not all of them would be for passenger use. For instance, she said the airports in Makurdi and Jalingo would be classified as agricultural gateways, while the Ibadan Airport would be in the second phase of the remodelling project, assuring that work would start on it shortly.She said the expansion of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, was on course, while facilities at Modules B and D of the local wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, had been upgraded and would soon be put to use.She also said the lights at the 18L runway at the MMIA would soon be installed.Asked by our correspondent to give a timeline within which government would conclude the concession of Nigerias airports, she replied, "The timelines are based on the review of the business case and financial model."We are reviewing all concession agreements, permits and licences which have unfavourable terms to government and the Nigerian public." The minister, however, assured that all the airports would have perimeter fence by the middle of next year, noting that their terminals were being expanded and provided with new toilets, trolleys and other facilities.Asked about plan for improved security at the airports, Oduah said the government was making joint efforts with the United States Transportation Security Administration and other aviation authorities to meet current challenges.She said, "We are currently repositioning the aviation security infrastructure and procedures to meet current threats and challenges. We are currently working with the Minister of Interior on this."We have revisited our security strategy and are in the process of implementation. We are also working with the TSA and other technical partners. We are repositioning the sector as a major contributor to the nations Gross Domestic Product.""Our desire is to make air travel the preferred and safest means of transportation."All our international flights have the infrastructure to accommodate night flights."
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