A civil society organisation, Generation Next Collective (GNC), has said that the opposition by Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) to the setting up and inauguration of Nigeria Air is unhealthy, selfish and unpatriotic.
In a joint statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, co-conveners of the group, Ms. Ruth Edehemon and Mr. Rufai Abdulahi berated the chairman of United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), Prof Obiora Okonkwo and other indigenous airline operators for accusing the former minister of aviation (and aerospace), Mr. Hadi Sirika, who initiated the establishment of the airliner, of a plot to kill the domestic airlines and handover the monopoly to Ethiopian Airlines which has 49 per cent equity in Nigeria Air.
The group expressed the hope for Nigeria’s aviation industry following the arrival of a Boeing 737 aircraft following the unveiling of the Nigeria Air aircraft in Abuja on Friday,
“It is bewildering to see aviation operators kick over a development that would potentially add value to the people and the economy of the nation.
“It is selfish and unpatriotic for private operators to turn themselves into an army of opposition and harbingers if negative narratives against the floating, success and Sustainability of our common heritage, Nigeria Air.
“We have observed with dismay that Dr Obiora Okonkwo, who has been so vociferous in spreading the negative and misleading narratives about the national airline, in the guise of representing the AON, is not motivated by objectivity or patriotism, but only doing so for his selfish aim of being in the driving seat of monopoly and mindless manipulation of cost of air fare in the industry.
“We object to such profiteering tendencies and dark conspiracies that do not put to account, the interest of the people or the collective prosperity of the nation.” the GNC said.
The group called on the AON and all those in the “campaign of calumny and gang up against Nigeria Air, to channel the energy to the provision of quality service delivery in the Aviation industry, rather than fret over a potential healthy competition from the national airline and its partners.”
Furthermore, the group said: “We don’t have any reason to doubt that the national airline would in line with the aviation industry master plan, make Nigeria a vibrant aviation hub, as the former minister has said.
“We also agree with him, especially with the new government in place, that Nigeria Air is set up towards getting Nigeria to take advantage of its various Bilateral Aviation Safety Agreement (BASA) and open skies agreements and also create jobs for the teeming youths of Nigeria.
“Nigeria Air should be given the chance to either prove us wrong or right, rather than the inexplicable attempt to kill it with misleading narratives. Competition is the tonic for good service delivery. And we should encourage that for the good of the people.”
