The Nation Newspaper

Category: Travels on Saturday

  • Ambassador Ojukwu commends Nigeria’s outing at FITUR in Spain

    Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Bianca Ojukwu, has expressed delight at the Nigerian stand as one of the biggest tourism trade fair, popularly called FITUR Madrid, opens yesterday in Spain.

    According to the ambassador, the structure erected by the Nigerian delegation led by the Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Otunba Olusegun Runsewe, was eye-catching and aesthetically attractive and will endear exhibitors to, not only make inquiries, but to buy into some of the products that the Nigerian nation is offering.

    FITUR prides itself on being one of the biggest trade fairs in the world with over 150 nations participating and over 100,000 people attending. It is a platform where participating nations showcase their products and discuss with potential investors which in turn could improve their different economies.

    The ambassador, who participated in the opening ceremony, later returned to the Nigerian stand where she had an exhaustive discussion with Runsewe besides commending his efforts in translating his visions into realities over the years in the tourism sector.

    She expressed President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration to continue to partner tourism-related organisations beause they have emerged as a veritable platform capable of alleviating poverty and improving the economic status of the country.

    According to her: “Having gone round the fair, I want to state that the Nigerian stand is impressive and eye-catching. With a big logo proclaiming Nigeria with an inscription ‘Tourism is Life’, and painted in our national colours, it is obvious that this concept will endear exhibitors and tourists to our stand. The inscription encapsulates the essence of tourism indeed because tourism is life.

    “ Nigeria is proud to showcase her rich cultural heritage, and with Runsewe, the message is clear which is making Nigeria a preferred destination for tourism. This administration has taken a lot of steps to facilitate investment because the nation has a lot to offer, especially with focus on ecotourism. We wish to expand the frontiers of tourism and enlarge our business coast to improve our economy.

    Otunba Runsewe thanked the ambassador, especially for commending the initiatives of the corporation in making possible a beautiful outing that has afforded the country the opportunity to showcase its potential and artifacts.

  • ‘FG should sign BASA agreement with Israel’

    The Chairman of the Nigerian Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), Most Rev. Nicholas D Okoh, has called on the Federal Government to sign a Bilateral Air Service Agreement ((BASA) with Israel to reduce the number of hours spent by pilgrims, while travelling to Israel. Okoh made this call, while presenting the reports of the 2012 pilgrimage to the Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG), Chief Pius Anyim.

    He told the SGF that a total of 16,000 pilgrims were airlifted during the 2012 pilgrimage exercise, but would have been more but for the flood disaster in the country last year which prevented most states from participating.

    The Chairman also stated that the commission had two pilgrimages last year, the Easter and the October-December pilgrimages. He explained that those states which could not meet up with the deadline for payment for the December pilgrimage last year would be accommodated in this year’s Easter pilgrimage.

    The Chairman who described last year’s pilgrimage exercise as successful and flawless”, said this was possible because of the excellent relationship the commission had with the stakeholders. He added that the zero-mortality rate recorded last year was due to the thorough screening exercise embarked by the commission to ensure that only intending pilgrims who met the set criteria were selected for the exercise. However, he regretted the death of one pilgrim who died as a result of ill health.

    He revealed that some of the challenges the commission faced during the period under review was the heightened security situation at Sinai Peninsula which prevented pilgrims from visiting the area based on expert advice from the Nigerian Embassy officials in Israel.

    Most Revd Okoh did not forget to mention the issue of signing the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the State of Israel which he described as “reoccurring”. His words, “BASA is reoccurring. If this agreement is entered into, it will reduce the journey by almost four hours. According to him, “this is the major appeal in the report”.

    Chief Anyim, while receiving the report, commended the NCPC for the zero-mortality level recorded during the 2012 Christian pilgrimage exercise to Israel and Rome.

    The SGF regretted the flood incident in the country last year which he described as unprecedented which had adverse effects on the participation of some states in the last year’s pilgrimage exercise. He was optimistic that this year’s pilgrimage exercise would be better and devoid of such natural disaster.

    Chief Anyim equally commended the NCPC for the progress made in the ongoing pilgrims reception camp being constructed at the NCPC corporate headquarters. He promised to inform the President about it and the need to ensure that the project is completed as seheduled.

    He also assured the NCPC board that the critical issue of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) with the state of Israel would soon be a thing of the past. According to him “the issue of the BASA by this time next year will not be a factor”.

    The NCPC Chairman led the delegation to the SGF for the submission of the 2012 Christian pilgrimage report. He was accompanied by the Executive Secretary of NCPC, Mr. John Kennedy Opara.

  • How Governor Dickson observed his vacation

    How Governor Dickson observed his vacation

    For Governor Henry Seriake Dickson, the reward for hard work is more and more work. This explains why he can’t just stop serving his people even at the expense of his comfort.

    It will be recalled that since Dickson was overwhelmingly elected governor of the littoral state of Bayelsa on February 12, last year and sworn in on February 14, same year, he had not gone for vacation until January 7, this year. Many Bayelsans had expected him to enjoy a month’s break in view of his hectic schedules coupled with the trauma he had, as a result of the plane crash in Bayelsa State, which snuffed life out of Governor Patrick Yakowa of Kaduna State, the immediate past National Security Adviser, Gen. Andrew Azazi and other compatriots, but the governor shortened the break to 14 days. What a country man! Yet he cut short his vacation to work, flew to Dubai to hold crucial meetings with some of the international investors that turned Dubai to a global economic, tourism and infrastructural cynosure.

    Before the governor stormed the United Arab Emirate, he stayed in Abuja for a few days. During his stay, he compared notes with some of his former colleagues at the House of Representatives, experts on miscellaneous matters and exchanged banters with some of his close friends and family members.

    He also took advantage of the vacation to have more quiet times with his Creator, God Almighty; he reviewed government activities, focused on the present and projected into the future.

    The governor’s engagement in Dubai culminated in the signing of an MoU between Government of Bayelsa State and GEAP International to establish a commercial rice farm and revive a palm plantation in Bayelsa State. The parties also agreed to establish a strong and viable production, processing and distribution network. Aside being a joint venture partner of GEAP International Group, Bayelsa State will facilitate the scientific and commercial study of rice and palm plantation growth and distribution. In addition, Bayelsa State will actively assist in the establishment of relationship between all relevant government agencies with GEAP and provide legal and regulatory assistance. And subject to receiving initial positive technical reports on water and soil analysis, GEAP agrees to bring into the state the required technological and human expertise hosted by the Bayelsa State Government.

    The MoU was preceded with the inspection of Steel Plant, Cold Storage Facility by Governor Dickson and a meeting between the governor and the CEO of GEAP, one of the biggest globally acclaimed investors that turned around Asia and Middle East, Mr. Mahendra Patel, in his office. Mr. Imad Saba, an international investor and CEO of Capital Asset Management who was on the team of Patel signed on behalf of his firm.

    The first Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief DSP Alamiesiegha, who lives in Dubai, former MD of NDDC, Chief Timi Alaibe, PDP Vice Chairman, North East, Alhaji Mohammed Wakil, security consultant, Major Lancelot Anyanya (rtd) and this writer witnessed the signing of the MoU.

    Though the governor didn’t unwind, the voracious reader that he is took time off to read many books on leadership, history, the making of Dubai and books on agriculture. As he told me, one of the problems of Africa is the shrinking of reading politicians. “I love reading books and I can’ t stop reading because I am not an all-knowing governor. In fact, some of the books I have read have redoubled my resolve to diversify the Bayelsa economy to be agro- based as well so that we don’t just depend on oil alone,” he added.

    Indeed agricultural revolution is the centre piece of the Dickson administration. A few months into his administration, government partnered a Hungarian and Danish firms, Ostertrade Engineering/ DPP International Kft respectively to establish and manage cassava farms, establish cassava starch processing factory plant to produce 10,000 tonnes of local and modified starch with a high and beneficial value chain that would trickle down to the grassroots. Already, all papers to that effect have been signed and work at the site is progressing at a frenetic pace. The factory is expected to generate over 5,000 jobs for Bayelsans. The expectation is for the governor to expeditiously implement government’s side of the bargain with GEAP so as to enable Patel and his team move to work the way he did on the cassava initiative.

    With the success of the cassava initiative in Bayelsa State, many state governors and their representatives are reportedly talking with the firms to replicate same projects in their states.

    The governor returned to Nigeria last Sunday having exhausted the leave and resumed duty on Monday. He was received by a retinue of government officials led by the Secretary to Government, Prof. Edmund Allison Oguru. Governor Dickson called on Bayelsans to sustain their support for his administration and urged all Nigerians and, particularly, the religious leaders to pray for the unity, peace and security of Nigeria.

    The governor also told news hounds that even though the vacation was short, the period afforded him the opportunity to redirect his energy towards serving his people. He said he was mentally and physically prepared more than ever before, to implement government policies and programmes and promised to take more critical and tough decisions for the development, peace and security of Bayelsa State.

    Sure,for those that know Dickson,they call him Mr. Courage and Conviction, and nobody can take that away from him, like him or hate him. If he is convinced on any matter, he summons the courage to implement it. A good example here is his critical free and compulsory education which has revolutionised the education sector in the state. Just a few minutes after taking the oath of office, the governor declared free and compulsory education in primary and post-primary schools in the state. Today, government provides the following items free to pupils and students: textbooks,uniforms,sandals,bags and writing materials.

    There are ongoing construction of additional 200 modern schools in the state, three international secondary schools in the three senatorial zones and two schools for gifted children.

    Before Dickson came to judgment in Creek Haven, no governor dared to implement free and compulsory education. The thinking, especially during the immediate past administration, was that if there was free and compulsory education,there won’t be enough money for the power elite to share. The tradition at that time was for politicians to use secret cultists and other criminals as tools for oppressing political opponents and for rigging elections. But not Dickson.

     

    •Agbo, a journalist and public affairs analyst, lives in Yenagoa.

  • Abraka Turf Club: at peace with nature

    Abraka Turf Club: at peace with nature

    The first thing that hits one on entering Abraka Turf and Country Club is the overwhelming hue of green. A vast stretch of expansive well-manicured land bursts into one’s vision heading for the reception area of the resort. Green, the colour of nature, has the effect of giving the feeling of calmness and tranquility. That is what Abraka Turf and Country Club offers.

    It is a boutique resort that its choice of location is spot on in terms of what it offers for those who are stepping out of the hustle and bustle of existentialism to relax, reflect and re-fire.

    The feeling of being close to nature is further accentuated as one drives towards the reception area. On both sides of the road sturdy healthy horses lazily nip at the green grass, occasionally using that tails to drive away inconspicuous flies. They raise their heads as if to see the intruder that is disturbing the quietude the paradise-like environment. They don’t seem to mind the drizzle from the sky that has made a patch on their backs.

    The entrance of Abraka Turf and Country Club nestles at the Delta State University town of Abraka. For the uninformed , nothing much about the town suggests that it would have such place like the expansive Abraka’s garden. To get to Abraka, one could take a commercial vehicle to the place. From the town, most of the residents can easily direct one to the turf. The entrance to the turf is not too spacious and does not give one, a first-time visitor, a real clue to what awaits one inside the turf. However, on crossing the gate and entering the compound, one is struck by the large expansive green of well-manicured lawn that stretches as far as one’s eyes could take in. Dotted on the lawn are buildings for accommodation and other activities.

    On the right as one drives in are the rows of single luxury duplexes, stylishly designed to bring out their beauty. These are further accentuated by the flowers and other ornamental plants planted around the buildings. On the right, however, is the lush stretch of green, well- manicured lawn. On the lawn are horses that lazily graze on the grass. Looking a little further is a dense mangrove forest that reminds one that one was in the Niger Delta. Behind this jungle lies the famous Ethiope River. The environment that the place creates is sure breathtaking, especially for those in love with nature. Driving a little further on the right, one would come to the reception area which is eye- popping. Outside the reception, there is the crystal clear swimming pool, table tennis and snooker rooms and a restaurant.

    Although the club is open to the public, facilities at the club could also be enjoyed by being a member of the Abraka Turf Club. The club members and their family members enjoy memorable and serene holidays in the luxury villas and chalets. The turf boasts of exquisite cuisine served at its delightful restaurant and bar. A few outdoor activities at the turf include polo, horse riding, archery, fishing and clay pigeon shooting, rowing and a whole lot more.

    Abraka’s unique combination of location, country club atmosphere, luxury accommodation and friendly staff can really make one feel at home and want to stay there as long as possible. Even without bothering about the outdoor and indoor fun facilities, one could decide to go on an adventure by venturing into the jungle towards the Ethiope River. But the advice is that this should not be undertaken during the rainy season. The road to the river is carved out with thick wooden planks, but these could be tricky after downpours as the surface of the wood becomes slippery. But for those who could brace it to the river bank, they would be rewarded with beautiful sight of a clear river that is worth all the trouble of trying to reach the river bank.

    Abraka Turf Club is open to both individual and corporate members. As a corporate member, all club facilities are at one’s disposal. Other facilities at the turf club include a-state-of-the-art conference centre that can comfortably seat 75 people. There are facilities for personal computers, laptops and take-away memory sticks. The turf has equestrian facilities for polo and horse riding and has the best stables in the country with various breeds of horses, ranging from local to argentines.

    Other activities to be enjoyed at the club include archery, clay pigeon shooting, lawn tennis, squash, canoeing, snorkeling and also a driving range for golfers. The turf provides equestrian facilities for polo and horse riding. Classes are available for beginners and leisure riding for the experienced.

    A private country club that has been created to function at the highest levels of luxury and guest satisfaction. Located in the exotic region of Nigeria’s Delta, Abraka Turf and Country Club has taken on a leading role in the nation’s leisure and catering industry and prides itself on its ability to deliver exquisite services.

    The resort includes perfect villas, chalets, and caters to high-end clientelle that includes families, vacation seekers, campers, as well as corporate groups. Abraka Turf and Country Club comes fully equipped with state of the art facilities and the outdoor activities include golf, tennis, canoeing, kayaking, polo, horseback riding, fishing and deep river diving.

  • Naija 7 Wonders proposes museum for disused planes

    The Project Director of the Seven Wonders of Nigeria(Naija 7 Wonders) and travel expert, Mr. Ikechi Uko, is proposing to build an aviation musuem for Nigeria using the abandoned aircraft as exhibits.

    In a proposal he developed for the aviation managers, he suggests that Naija 7 Wonders be allowed to develop an aviation musuem in Nigeria that will warehouse some of the disused aircraft.

    “Nigeria needs an aviation musuem with a hall of fame that will inform, preserve and promote aviation history of Nigeria, the players and the incidents that have shaped the industry over the years. This musuem will fit properly with the transformation agenda of the government of leaving lasting legacies on the ground. It is part of the ideals set out by the Seven Wonders of Nigeria project which is to present Nigeria in a new light to grow national pride and generate tourism income.

    “An aviation museum, the first of its kind in this region, will attract tourism traffic and will educate and empower a new generation of aviators. Instead of destroying the aircraft, they can be put to beneficial use in educating the youths and drawing tourism income. Some of the aircraft are out of production and can be treated as vintage crafts if well packaged.

    “Naija7wonders is proposing to work with the authorities to make this project a success in the shortest possible time using time-tested methods.

    “As a travel promoter, I do know that with the co-operation of stakeholders, the musuem will be up and running within a calendar year,”the proposal said.

    Naija7wonders is the search for the unique wonders of Nigeria, a project started with over 50 judges, including journalists, tour operators and other professionals.

    After 24 months, seven unique sites were chosen as the seven wonders of Nigeria. These sites are Obudu Mountain Resort, Sukur Landscape in Adamawa, Oke Idanre in Ondo State, Benin Moat, Kano Walls, Osun Groove and National War Musuem, Umuahia.

  • Biometric registration for hotels to commence soon

    The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC) with other stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry will soon sign a formal agreement on biometric registration of hotels and other hospitality outfits with Orbit Technologies and Investment Limited.

    Described as first of its kind in the hospitality industry in West Africa, the Director-General of the NTDC, Otunba Runsewe, said in the statement that security of hotel operation was a priority to the corporation.

    He said when operational, biometric registration of workers would help in detecting fraudulent staff who may be changing jobs within the industry.

    “It is also to protect the investment of hoteliers who could fall victim of dubious employees,” Otunba Runsewe stressed.

    It will be recalled that hoteliers nationwide have been sensitised about the biometric registration of their workers with all of them lending an overwhelming support to its introduction.

    Meanwhile, Otunba Runsewe has invited strategic partners to key into the annual Carnival Calabar.

    Otunba Runsewe gave the invitation while attending the 2012 edition of the event held at the Cross River State capital in December just as he commended the organizers of the fiesta on its wonderful outing last year.

    Otunba Runsewe, who personally attended the festival with the leading American travel expert, Mr.Paul Cohen, and others from Botswana, was impressed by the huge turnout of both indigenes and visitors to all the events in the 32-day festival.

    The NTDC DG, who flagged off the golf event, was at the airport to receive the Brazillian Samba band and commended the state for internationalizing the event, bringing diverse and international flavour to a Nigerian spectacle.

    On a courtesy call on the acting Governor, Otunba Runsewe commended the hard work that went into putting together such a world-class event and promised more support as the event grows internationally.

    Stressing the importance of tourism in wealth and job creation, he was all praises for the billions of naira generated over the 32 days, quoting figures of over 4000 rooms all occupied night after night and crime figures at its lowest ever. With the 500, 000 viewing public in 2011, he stressed that the edition would have passed the million viewers mark on the carnival day.

    According to Runsewe, the NTDC is happy that its support of the Calabar event is yielding results and used the opportunity to call on other states to work with it in properly packaging and promoting their events to attract tourists as Cross River State seems to be doing.

    The DG also implored Cross River State to ignore detractors who do not see good in tourism progress in Nigeria as there are people ever ready to engender make-believe strife in tourism, citing the numerous attacks against him and the NTDC as a good example of what it takes to do a good job in Nigeria, assuring them of his support.

  • La Campagne Tropicana forges ahead

    La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Nigeria’s premier seaside hospitality and leisure property, is celebrating the successful connection of the resort to the national grid, ten years after it began operation.

    Located at Ikegun Village in Ibeju Lekki, Lagos State, the resort was hooked to Power Holding Company of Nigeria [PHCN] January 4.

    Mr. Wanle Akinboboye, founder of the resort, said that though public power supply is erratic across the country, the few hours that the facility would enjoy power would save the resort a lot of resources.

    He noted that running on generators since he began operations had been tough, with over 30 per cent of the profit going to diesel and maintenance of generators.

    According to him, savings following the connection to PHCN would be channelled to upgrading facilities as well as hiring more workers, thus perpetuating one of the aims of the resort- providing jobs and opportunities for the surrounding communities.

    Akinboboye praised PHCN officials for their efforts and promised to have a good working relationship with them in ensuring proper maintenance of the transformer as well as their powerlines for power supply to the resort.

    The resort currently provides over 150 full time and part time jobs for the host communities.

    La Campagne Tropicana Resort has over 100 rooms in various categories and has grown to become the most visited seaside resort in the country for Nigerians and the large expatriate community.

    The resort is a 65-acre tranquil paradise, an hour‘s drive from Victoria Island, Lagos, with its infrastructure perfectly blended with the surrounding and spectacular ambience of the countryside; where every guest is treated like royalty.

  • Talks on tourism development hold in Spain

    The fourth edition of the Tourism Investment and Business Forum for Africa (INVESTOUR) will hold during this year’s edition of International Tourism Trade Fair(FITUR) holding in Madrid the Spanish capital from January 30 to the February 3.

    It is an annual tourism business and knowledge exchange platform in which representatives of African tourism and potential Spanish investors/partners meet to discuss about business and cooperation opportunities.

    The forum is a joint initiative of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the International Tourism Fair of Madrid (FITUR) and Casa África (representing the Spanish Government) that arose from the growing importance of tourism in Africa as a catalyst of socio-economic development and recognition of its potential as a destination for tourism investment and cooperation with Spain in the following areas:

    The overall objective of the forum is to promote sustainable tourism development in Africa by opening up its destinations to the Spanish outbound and investment market, fostering the growth of Africa’s entrepreneurial fabric and job creation.

    The fourth edition of the forum is divided into two sessions, a first session focused on presentations and debates and a second session dedicated to “Business to Business” (B2B) meetings between African project managers and Spanish companies.

  • Asaba, Calabar: A tale of two cities

    Asaba, Calabar: A tale of two cities

    In line with the determination of  states to boost their tourism profiles by developing  cultural, historical and eco-tourism products capable of attracting local and international tourists, two cities-Asaba and Calabar- are claiming to be the first capital of Nigeria, and they give facts  to prove their cases. Okorie Uguru, who visited both places, looks at the merits or otherwise of these claims.

    During a tour by the Naija Seven Wonders expedition team to Delta State, part of the team’s itinerary was a tour of Asaba Museum. There, the tour guide confidently said: ”Welcome to Asaba, ‘Nigeria’s first capital.’ “ Many in the team were a bit surprised, mindful of the fact that Calabar, the Cross River State capital, had always claimed to being the Nigeria’s first capital before the seat of power was transferred to Lagos.

    Last month, while receiving delegations from Brazil and Trinidad and Tobago for the annual December festival, the acting governor of Cross River State, Mr. Efiok Cobham, had welcomed the visitors to ‘Nigeria’s first capital.’

    At Asaba Museum are structures said to be the administrative headquarters of Royal Niger Company from where the whole of the Niger Coast Protectorate was administered. One of these structures is the Mungo Park building. The building is old and in need of restoration.It is said to be the the former administrative building of Royal Niger Company.

    This was where Sir George Taubman Goldie who was in control of Asaba and its environs used as base. The building is currently under the the National Commision of Museums and Monuments. It also housed other artefacts of that era.

    In Calabar, built in 1884 on top of Consular Hill, the building is a prefabricated structure of Scandinavian red-pine wood shipped in knockdown parts from Britain to old Calabar. This building was the seat of the British colonial administration for the Southern Protectorate of Nigeria.

    The old colonial building in Calabar is well preserved and has been drawing tourists from different parts of the world. It was put in place about 130 years ago,and it is still in good shape and gives one a better understanding of the kind of buildings the colonial masters were staying in.

    For a tourist, such claims by both Asaba and Calabar could be a bit confusing, leaving one to wonder which among these two cities was actually the first capital of Nigeria and which among the two is making a wrong claim.

    To understand this, one needs to go back to the 19th century. Sir Goldie formed United African Company in 1879. He persuaded other traders to join him in the ownership of the company which later became Royal Niger Company. The company was granted a charter by the British government in July 1886 after the so-called Berlin Conference in 1885.

    By this act, Royal Niger Company started administering the Southern Protectorate on behalf of the British government. This was done from Asaba, thereby making Asaba, at that point in time, the seat of government and the capital.

    Tourists interested in Nigerian history should note, however, at this point in time that Royal Niger Company was administering the territory on behalf of the British government.

    Asaba city is rich in structures and materials of that era. It makes an interesting experience to visit the Delta State capital to see some of these.

    However, the charter of Royal Niger Company was revoked in 1899 by the British government.The Oil River Protectorate was formally established in 1891 with Calabar as its capital. It was merged with the chartered territories of Royal Niger Company on January 1, 1900 to form the Southern Nigeria Protectorate.

    Calabar later became the first capital of Nigeria. Due to her early role in international trade and colonial administration, the earliest military barracks, the first Presbyterian church (Church of Scotland Mission) in 1846, the first monorail and the first modern road network in Nigeria were all in Calabar. The city also boasts of the first public hospital in Nigeria – St. Margaret Hospital, the oldest post office and one of the first two botanical gardens in the country.

    The capital of the Southern Nigeria Protectorate under the direct rule of the British government was moved from Calabar to Lagos in 1906.

    So when either Asaba or Calabar claims to be the first capital of Nigeria, it is very important for one to fully understand the basis for such claim. Although the British never ruled Nigeria directly with Asaba as the capital, Royal Niger Company carried out this mandate on its behalf. The British government directly administered the Southern Nigeria protectorate ( Niger Coast Protectorate and Oil River Protectorate) from Calabar before it was moved to Lagos, making Calabar the first capital.

  • Boeing confident about 787 Dreamliner

    A senior Boeing engineer said the plane maker have “extreme confidence” in the 787 Dreamliner, despite three of mishaps this week, including a battery fire.

    “Clearly there are issues that we have to work through,” Mike Sinnett, vice president and chief project engineer for the Boeing 787, told reporters.

    “And just like any new airplane programme, we worked through those issues and we moved on. So while we’re happy with the level of the performance of the airplane, we’re not satisfied until our reliability and our performance is 100 per cent. We’re not happy until we’re perfect,” he said.

    Earlier on Wednesday, airlines played down safety concerns over the 787, with Qatar Airways’ chief executive dismissing recent mishaps as “teething problems.”

    Boeing’s stock closed up 3.55 per cent Wednesday after sinking nearly 5 per cent over the previous two days, its biggest such loss in 13 months.

    A fuel leak forced a Boeing 787 operated by Japan Airlines to return to the gate at Boston’s Logan International Airport on Tuesday, a day after a fire ignited in the cabin on a JAL Dreamliner at the same airport. A firefighter sustained minor injuries.

    Boeing said it traced the fire to a lithium ion battery in the plane’s auxiliary power unit.

    The transportation safety board of the United States of America (USA) said an auxiliary power unit battery had severe fire damage, and heat damage was found near the unit in the rear electronics bay. The investigation is continuing.

    “Nothing that we’ve seen in this case indicates a relationship to any previous 787 power system events which involved power panel faults elsewhere in the electrical equipment bay,” Boeing spokeswoman Lori Gunter said.