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Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo
Leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing has invited the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, selected financial institutions in Nigeria, members of the Airlines Operators of Nigeria, aircraft financiers, and lessors to Dublin, Ireland, to find a lasting solution to the aircraft shortage in the country.
This was made known through a letter to the minister signed by the Commercial Sales Director of Boeing, Moore Ibekwe, which was obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday.
Recall that the minister had, in August, visited the head office of the aircraft manufacturer to solicit support from the manufacturers to help Nigeria secure aircraft leasing for Nigerian airlines.
PUNCH gathered that, to earn this support, a list of requirements was presented to the minister, among which was the signing of the Cape Town Convention and the Irrevocable Deregistration and Export Request Authorisation Advisory Circular for the recordation and cancellation of leased aircraft in the country.
Both documents have been signed by the Federal Government and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority.
In response to this development, Boeing, in his letter, said, “I want to thank and commend you for the efforts of the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, under your leadership, to improve the lives of Nigerians through an enhanced aviation industry.
“Following your visit to our facilities in the United States, the press coverage of Nigerian aviation has been remarkably positive, like never before, therefore we need to capitalise on this positive momentum in the spirit of the MoU.
“During your visit, one of the follow-up items was to organise a forum during the Airline Economics conference, whereby we can leverage our relationships with leasing companies’ leadership for you to meet them and update them personally on the strides that the Federal Government of Nigeria is undertaking to improve the aviation industry. As we all agreed, in the presence of our Senior Vice President of Sales, it would be best if they heard from you firsthand.”
Giving an account of efforts Boeing has made following positive media reports about the Nigerian aviation industry lately, Ibekwe stated, “On our side, we are coordinating efforts with lessors to firm up dates and timing for these meetings.
“We would like to keep the delegation small and focused on Nigerian airlines seriously considering leasing aircraft in the next 24 months. It is important that the airlines we bring to the forefront are prepared so that we can demonstrate real business opportunities to maintain the interest of the lessors.
“We have also been working with several banks in Nigeria and the Africa Trade Investment Development Insurance to develop a Credit Enhancement product specifically for Nigeria to facilitate operating leases by providing an additional layer of security to global lessors who may have shown interest in the region. We envisage a forum that will include the Ministry, AON representatives, Nigerian banks, lessors/financiers, and Boeing to chart a course for a new future for Nigerian aviation.”
