The Federal Government has inaugurated a twelve-member ministerial committee on the establishment of a national carrier with a charge to review the report on the failure of the defunct Nigeria Airways and other failed private airlines. The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Aviation, Hajiya Binta Bello, while inaugurating the committee yesterday urged them to pursue the assignment with the sense of urgency it deserves.

Hajiya Bello said the inauguration of the Committee became imperative in view of the interest shown in the venture by President Muhammadu Buhari and his recent marching directives to the Ministry.

The committee has a former Managing Director of Discovery Airlines, Captain Mohammed Abdulsalam as chairman while the legal adviser of FAAN, Uche Isichei, will serve as secretary. It is mandated to consult widely with stakeholders, including interested international partners, on the establishment of a National Carrier on a Public-Private Partnership model.

Responding on behalf of other members, Captain Mohammed Abdulsalam regretted the issues that led to collapse of the defunct Nigeria Airways and promised that they would develop an economically robust model that would stand the test of time and meet the aspirations of Nigeria as a nation. The committee will report in four weeks.