No preferred bidder for Nigeria’s national airline

The Nigerian government has stated that no preferred bidder has been selected for the national carrier, Nigeria Air.

The Director, Public Affairs, Ministry of Aviation, Dr James Odaudu who stated this in a statement says, this became necessary as some persons with vested interests have been promoting some organisations that have bided for the forthcoming national carrier, Nigeria Air.

“A similar report coming just two days after the issuance of a Request for Proposal which was published in local and international news media is not only false but capable of discrediting the process for the establishment of the airline, and discouraging interested parties”.

He assured that, throughout the process leading to the publication of the Request for Proposal, the guiding principle has been transparency and accountability, as promised and this will remain till the final delivery of the project, adding that, by this, they stand.

The Aviation Ministry spokesman also stressed that no corporate entity or individual has been appointed or elected, or even preferred for the project as the process for selection has just started with the Request for Proposal.

“All interested partners and the public are therefore advised to discountenance the report and proceed with their proposals as we assure them of our unalloyed commitment to transparency and accountability till the end of the process”.

Dr Odaudu noted that the driving force is the commitment of the Buhari administration to bequeath to the country a national carrier that Nigerians would be proud of, and their determination and commitment to it remains stoic.

“Finally we wish to appeal to media practitioners to always confirm information from the right quarters before going to press so as to avoid misleading the public as in this particular case.”