BUSINESS Kalu to resuscitate Slok Airlines

A former Governor of Abia, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, said yesterday that he would resuscitate the Slok Airlines, whose operating licence was revoked in 2004.

Kalu made the announcement in a statement signed by his media aide, Mr Oyekunle Oyewumi.

The PDP chieftain said that he had already entered into discussions with the management of Emirates Airlines to partner with his airline.

“I can only do this if Emirates Airlines agrees on the partnership

that we are discussing because Emirates is one of the best airlines in the world.

“The airline would be resuming scheduled commercial flights to Kano and Abuja by August.

“So if Emirates management agrees to maintain my aircraft locally and become our partner, Slok Air will come back; discussions to that effect is ongoing,’’ Kalu said.

He said that the restoration would take effect soon as both parties were working out the logistics that would be required for smooth relationship.

Kalu disclosed that the revocation made him to relocate the airline’s operational headquarters to the Gambia with offices in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

He promised to construct three new factories in Aba which would provide employment to no fewer than 1,000 youths when it starts operation in July.

“I plan to make Aba the Dubai of Nigeria.

“We have three industries already in Aba which will start rolling out lead, copper and aluminum products by July.

“We are partnering with some Indian investors in these projects,’’ he said. (NAN)