The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, disclosed on Friday that Ethiopian Airlines emerged a core investor in the Nigerian National Carrier, Nigeria Air, following a bid.
Sirika, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja, said Ethiopian Airlines won the bid with a consortium and would have 95 controlling shares in the airline.
While noting that only Ethiopian Airlines met the bidding evaluation criteria and the deadline, Sirika said it would hold 45 per cent equity with other consortium holding 46 per cent.
According to the minister, the Federal Government will have only a five-per cent equity in the Carrier project.
He added that he would not disclose the identities of others who tried to submit their bid after the deadline but failed.
Sirika, who stated that the Federal Government spent less than the budgeted amount for the project, disclosed that efforts are being made to launch Nigeria Air this year.
More details later…
