FG urged to bring back exited airlines

Stakeholders in the nation’s economy have urged the federal government to make conscious efforts to bring back over 10 airlines that exited Nigeria due to the prevailing foreign exchange crisis.

They spoke at the Lagos international conference investment, where they said the exit from Nigeria of some of the major airlines should be viewed with serious concern .

Their opinion was contained in a communiqué issued, yesterday, by the Vice President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sola Oyetayo, which also advocated the need for the ministry of aviation to convene a stakeholders meeting on the best way to retain and enhance Nigeria’s status as the aviation hub for West and Central Africa.

“The government should also consider the option of forming a new ministry of aviation and tourism, as has been successfully done by some countries in Africa and the Middle East with remarkable success,” the communiqué said.

It said that the Nigerian economy remained one of the most viable in Africa with diverse natural resources and large market with huge demographic advantage that can propel the diversification drive of Nigeria.

It said that underutilisation of the country’s natural endowments has stifled the growth of the economy and limited opportunity for its diversification.