Leadership (Abuja)
Isaac Aimurie
5 August 2008
The Federal Government has directed the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to ensure the relocation of Virgin Nigeria's domestic operations from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, within a week.
The Minister of Transportation, Mrs Diezani Allison-Madueke, gave the directive in a letter to the Managing Director of FAAN, Mr Richard Aisuebeogun, yesterday.
The letter stated that the government was piqued by the failure of Virgin Nigeria to relocate after several discussions on the issue.
Allison-Madueke stated that she had been informed that the injunction by the Federal High Court restraining the Federal Government had been struck out.
In the three-paragraph letter, Allison-Madueke tasked FAAN to withdraw services on the domestic flights from Virgin Nigeria within the next seven days.
The letter said that the airline should relocate domestic operations to the domestic wing of the new Murtala Muhammed Airport.
Virgin Nigeria and Arik airline had been given the marching orders on February 1, but Virgin got an injunction restraining the relocation.
Arik shunned the new domestic terminal and relocated to the old domestic wing, saying it had some issues with the operators of the new domestic terminal based on their charges.
The Federal Government had hinged its relocation order on security reasons and the need to grapple with rising international traffic.
Meanwhile, the Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Ltd have welcomed the Federal Government directive to Virgin Nigeria to relocate to MMA2.
"This is a clear indication that the Federal Government respects the rule of law and holds contracts sacrosanct" says Chukwudum Ofomata, Head of Corporate Communications. "This decision is important because it sends a clear message to the private sector that their investment in Nigeria will be protected. By showing it will respect contractual agreements, the Federal Government is opening the floodgates for private investment not just in the aviation sector but in all sectors of the Nigerian economy," Ofomata added.
The Managing Director of MMA2, Mr. Alex Van Elk, in his reaction to the government's directive, said Bi- Courtney believes in partnerships that promote and propel the Nigerian economy.
"'It is in that spirit of nation-building that we call on Virgin Nigeria to join hands with us and work towards improving and upgrading the aviation sector in Nigeria," Van Elk said, adding, "the space we reserved for Virgin Nigeria is still there and we look forward to welcoming them to our terminal so that together we can provide a world class travelling experience for customers."
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