Experts Hail US Ban Of Virgin Nigeria
BY WOLE SHADARE
REACTIONS yesterday trailed the decision of the United States government to bar the new Nigerian flag carrier-Virgin Nigeria from operating into its airspace.
Indications that the US would ban the new flag carrier had emerged over two months ago when stakeholders in the aviation industry warned the Federal Government of the consequences of its action when it was at the verge of perfecting the smooth take-off of the airline.
True to their prediction, the United States Government on Thursday barred the airline from flying into its airspace for what it as the violation of the Open Skies agreement between the US and Nigeria.
The US government had made its position known through the Economic Counselor at its Abuja Embassy, Mr. Joseph Gregoire.
Gregoire had explained that the United States opposition to Virgin Nigeria stemmed from the fact that its operator, Virgin Atlantic benefits from restrictions in US/UK bilateral relations. It therefore cannot come to Nigeria and benefit from the Open Skies agreement between Nigeria and the US.
President, Aviation Round Table (ART), a group of aviation experts Group Capt. John Obakpolor (rtd) while speaking to The Guardian through the telephone said from inception, he knew that the Virgin Nigeria project was bound to fail, stressing that the right thing was not done by the government.
His words: "We have been saying this thing for a long time now, but the government has continued to turn ear to our advice."
He stated that the best way out of the difficult situation was to resuscitate the liquidated Nigeria Airways (NAL), or by floating a purely private driven Nigerian flag carrier.
"I bet you in two years, they will make it on the Lagos-New York route just like what the telecommunication outfits are doing now.
"Now that they have got a shocker, I wonder what next they would do.
President, National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineer (NAAPE) Capt. Ufot Ekong said that what the US government's statement implied was that the right thing was wrongly done.
"It clearly shows that Nigerian leaders do not understand the dynamics of aviation. You cannot enjoy Open Skies with a country you do not have such right with. It was wrongly done," he added.
The US position he noted has vindicated the experts criticism of the packaging of the airline, stressing that he was not surprised.
To Dr. Steve Mahonwu, Chairman, Airline Operators of Nigeria "it is not unexpected. It is fraud, right from the beginning, he added.
The new airline has been enmeshed in controversies shortly after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) ratified the new carrier as the preferred bidder in September this year.
Critics had criticised the choice of Virgin Atlantic Airways as strategic/technical investor in the new carrier. They stated that the process that threw stated that the process that threw up the airline as core investor was not transparent.
While disclosing the formation of the flag carrier on September 1, 2004, the Federal Government said it would have an equity of share of $50 million. The strategic investor is to hold 49 per cent of the equity amounting to $24.5 million.
Half of the equity shares meant for Nigeria would be divested to the public through a public offer.
