United Nigeria Airlines chair emphasized that there was need for government to consider a special funding for the local operators
By Emma Ogbuehi
Chairman United Nigeria Airlines (UNA), Prof. Obiora Okonkwo has urged the federal government to leave a legacy by providing a window of “Special Funding “for the aviation sector operators.
Okonkwo made the call in Abuja on Thursday while speaking at a retreat organised by the management of United Nigeria Airlines to mark its two- year operation in the aviation industry.
The retreat, which has “Positioning United Nigeria for Value Creation and Retention,” was organised for management staff of the company.
Okonkwo said the call for provision of a window of special funding for operators in aviation became necessary given its essential duty nature and its growing contribution to the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
“We are just asking for a special funding window that should be of a single digit and that is easily accessible, not necessarily on paper, but not accessible.
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“We still believe that this government has done a lot for the aviation industry, though, more needs to be done and we think that the bigger legacy that this government will leave for the aviation industry is to ensure that the operators survive.
“No operator should go under, rather let there be new operators in the business of aviation.”
He said the indigenous airline operators have been very patriotic and have contributed immensely to the growth of the nation’s GDP.
“We are very patriotic Nigerians, who have contributed so much to the GDP of the nation, giving employment. It is a sector that I advise this government and incoming government to take very seriously.
“Because, if properly harnessed, it will be a great source of foreign exchange for the country, especially, if the local operators should be empowered.
“This industry cannot survive further at the regular commercial rates. We know that there are privileges given to sectors like agriculture and others. Aviation should be considered also.”
According to Okonkwo, airline transportation required special attention.
“If this is done, I have no doubt that the operators will be stronger and further render better services to the people.”
He emphasized further, that there was need for government to consider a special funding for the sector operators, saying that it was a win-win situation for both government and the operators and ultimately for the good of Nigerians.
“I also thought that the government should consider a window of “Special Funds ” at a single unit loan for the operators because it is a win -win situation for the companies and the government.
Okonkwo said that the United Airlines management was committed to improving on its performance despite the challenges experienced in the past year.
The Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of the airline, Osita Okonkwo, said the company’s strategy, going forward, was to continue on its growth path.
He said the company in 2023 and beyond would continue to excel and improve its service to the travelling public and customers, focus on its equipment to ensure its fleet was up to date.
According to him, the company has a massive expansion programme in the fleet area in numbers and aircraft.
“We have started with already with A 320, which is already flying. More will join the fleet,
“We are expanding our destinations; we have the objective of having a footprint in every airport in Nigeria. We are going outside Nigeria. We are moving regionally, we are going through the regulatory process now, and we have gotten our airline carriers permit, “he said.
