THERE are indications that Nigeria may be inkling towards signing air transport agreement with Angola following a visit to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo by the Angolan Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency José Bamoquina Zau and his deputy, Nelson Paulo Kafikiri.
This is coming despite the inability of Nigeria to explore the Bilateral Air Service Agreements
(BASA) it has with most foreign countries but continues to sign more of such agreements.
On different occasions, key players had called for the review of the agreements on the premise that they were skewed towards the foreign countries whose airlines used the agreements to rip off the Nigerian travellers while on the contrary, Nigerian airlines are put on a tight ropes by the home governments of the foreign airlines.
The visit of the Angolan team, accordingtotheSpecial Assistantto the Minister on Communications, Tunde Moshood, was aimed at strengthening aviation ties between Nigeria and Angola, particularly as Angola embarks on a new era for its aviation industry.
The Angolan delegation brought positive updates on the progress of Angola’s aviation sector, specifically highlighting the recent overhaul of its airport infrastructure.
The Angolan Ambassador, Zau, informed the minister that the new airport, set to serve as a strategic hub for the region, will be officially inaugurated in one month’s time.
While delivering a message from the Angolan Minister of Transport, Ricardo de Abreu, the Ambassador conveyed the minister’s warm greetings and underscored Angola’s eagerness to foster collaboration with Nigeria.
He said: “The Honourable Minister of Transport is keen to build a synergy between both nations and is eager to tap into the wealth of experience of Nigeria’s aviation leadership.”
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