The federal government has expressed its readiness to resolve the myriad of challenges confronting the aviation sector with plans said to have reached an advanced stage to convoke a retreat for stakeholders and players in the sector.
The retreat, according to the Chief of Staff to President Goodluck Jonathan, Chief Mike Ogiadomhe, will hold next year where stakeholders in the sector will meet to examine the challenges of the sector.
Ogiadomhe made this known on Saturday while speaking at the 7th anniversary celebration of Arik Air and the unveiling of the airline’s new Bombardier CRJ 1000 at the Murtala Muhammed Airport (MMA), Lagos.
Ogiadomhe, who did not give further details of the retreat, added that the federal government will continue to support the aviation industry to ensure growth and safety in the sector.
The Chief of Staff explained that the aim of the retreat is to discuss issues in the sector and chart the way forward, adding that with such retreats, analysts would be abreast of the activities of the government.
According to him, “We will continue to do what we have to do to make the Nigerian aviation industry compete with those in the developed world. We will continue to provide efficient infrastructure and improve safety in the sector.”
Speaking earlier, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the airline, Dr. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, reiterated the commitment of the airline to revolutionise the airline sub-sector in the country.
With the unveiling of the CRJ1000 at its maintenance hangar facilities in Lagos, the airline became the first commercial carrier in the continent to use the brand for commercial operations.
