FG/BA face-off: Minister lambasts critics •UK transport officials arrive Nigeria

Posted by admin Africa & World Politics, Headlines Monday, November 14th, 2011

As the controversy over the reduction of British Airways slots into the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos rages, the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Adaeze Oduah, has insisted that the issue is not about Arik Air but the fair and equitable treatment of all Nigerian flag carriers in line with Bilateral Air Services agreements (BASA).

Speaking through her Special Adviser on Media, Joe Obi, in a statement on Sunday, the minister lashed at those kicking against the ministry’s decision on the British carrier, describing them as mischievous.

According to her, in view of the BASA agreement between Nigeria and Britain, it has become binding on the British government to comply with every part of it religiously.

“It has become imperative to make certain clarifications as the issues are currently being muddled up for various inexplicable reasons, some certainly bordering on the selfish interest and agenda of those making the insinuations and nuanced interpretations.

“While the Honourable Minister of Aviation maintains that Arik Air, a Nigerian flag carrier has not been fairly treated by the sudden denial of its slots from Abuja into London Heathrow, the main issue at stake here is not about Arik Air but about the need to respect the spirit and letter of BASA Agreement which is predicated on the principles of equity, fairness and reciprocity.

Meanwhile, a day to the expiration of the November 15 deadline issued by the minister to the British Airways to start operating three out of the seven frequencies originally granted it as a fallout of the ongoing face-off between the British carrier and the government, officials of the United Kingdom transport sector arrived the country on Sunday to formally take up the issue with the Federal Government.

The team was sent by the British government to discuss the issue of lopsided Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) raised by Nigeria as regards Arik Air allegations that it was prevented from obtaining slots for its flight operations between Abuja and London.

-Tribunewp_posts