Today, an airplane flying the colors of Nigeria Air was spotted at Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
According to information obtained by Vanguard, the plane is expected to touch down at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport later today.
Recall that Hadi Sirika, the minister of aviation, had said that a plane flying the flag of Nigeria Air will be arriving in Nigeria in less than a day.
But with only 72 hours left in President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, the development has caused a severe outcry as stakeholders and experts questioned the launch’s justification.
They also wondered how the aircraft can fly into the country without getting an Air Operating Certificate, AOC, from the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA.
In a chat with the Principal Partner, Avaero Capital, Sindy Foster, she said, “This is very poor indeed and a complete reflection of the entire shabby plan by the Federal Government.
“Nigeria deserves better. Sadly some Nigerians think this is what they deserve. Does Nigeria Air have AOC?
“If people do not love this country no one would be bothered. The reputation of the country was bad enough, now court orders are just being ignored by government officials with impunity.
“Deals are being done with question marks hanging over them. 11th-hour non-launch of an airline for optics and the fake ticking of boxes of a so far non-existent roadmap. We should be celebrating genuine things.”
Also, the President of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association of Nigeria (AOPAN), Dr Alex Nwuba, said: “Can there be anything good in what is bad?
“This could have been the best thing but it got contaminated with nuclear waste.
“What an opportunity for greatness! What are you to do with this now?
“To achieve excellence you must condemn mediocrity. This is not representative of the green, white and green. But why the condemnation?”
Quoting the nation’s national anthem, he states that is this the path to lofty heights, for a great nation, and to soar in aviation?
“Nigeria is greater than some people want to direct it. I reject this project in its entirety, confident that in a few days, we will chart a new path to our destiny and to,” he added.