The minister said the Federal Government had completed the initial processes and that it was at the point of sealing the last move in obtaining the Air Operator Certificates (AOC) to enable the national carrier to start flying.
Addressing State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting, presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Sirika said: “Nigeria Air will soon start flying. We’ve got the aircraft ready. They’re painted in national colors. We’ve crossed all the Ts and dotted the Is. We’re at Stage Five of the AOC issuance by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). Once that is done, the airline will begin to fly.
“There are five stages. We’ve done stages one, two, three, and four, and we are now at Stage Five. Once the AOC is given, the aircraft is ready to start flying. Well, because the issuance of the AOC is in the hands of the NCAA, but I know it will be very soon, with an emphasis on soon. So, as soon as we get the AOC, then we fly.”
Asked if the kick-off of flight operations had been a result of the litigation by some Nigerian airliners, Sirika said: “There’s no injunction against Nigeria Air’s operation, to my knowledge.
“The grievances by some airlines, for example, are by United, Azman, Max Air, Air Peace, if you are referring to that case they instituted. Okay, if you are referring to that case, I have no comment about it.
“I thought you were talking about something different. But if it’s that case, you have asked me before on this platform and I told you that it’s sub judice. It’s in court. So, I can’t talk about it.”
The minister also announced that the FEC approved N721,266,733.64 for maintenance and technical support at Malam Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano for 12 months.
Also, the FEC yesterday approved N117,721,266,733 for contracts in the Petroleum Resources and Aviation ministries.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, who announced this, said the Council approved the money for the construction of the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre in Bayelsa State.
According to him, the project, which has been on the drawing board since the early 1980s, from the era of President Shehu Shagari, would be one of the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s legacies.
“Council has approved a contract for the construction of the Oloibiri Oil Museum and Research Centre to Messrs Julius Berger PLC at the sum of N117 billion, with a completion timeframe of 30 months. This project has been on the drawing board for so long.
“The first time the foundation stone was laid for this project was in the early 1980s by President Shehu Shagari. So, this is a major milestone and it is expected to be a major legacy of Mr. President in the Niger Delta,” he said.
