THE Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has appealed to Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah not to allow the newly launched airline in the state to go the way of Nigerian Airways, which liquidated years ago.
Keyamo also urged the state government to ensure Enugu Air is run professionally and shielded from political interference and bureaucratic inefficiency.
The minister said these during the inauguration of the airline in the state capital on Monday, July 7.
“What is left to advise is, do not let Enugu Air go the way of Nigerian Airways. Run it professionally and do not let bureaucracy kill Enugu Air. Be prompt in your departure and arrival.”
Keyamo commended Mbah’s leadership style and development strides.
“I want to mirror what the president said the other day while he was in Enugu to commission projects. Dr. Peter Mbah, you’re in PDP, but we’re scared of you. The way you’re going, we don’t know what will happen, and we don’t know how to drop a scheme to defeat you, but we will be planning,” Keyamo added.
According to him, beyond party lines, the Enugu governor has a progressive spirit and has done well for his state, making him one of the best-performing governors.
Speaking at the event, Mbah said that since he took over power, the airline had been among the key objectives he had outlined in his pledge to make Enugu the premier destination for investment.
“Today, we have our airline, and with it, we’re opening doors to a sector that once felt out of reach. Enugu Air has given more wings to our dreams, and today we take that first flight together,” Mbah stated.
He described the project as a giant leap for the state, a gold standard for government and private partnership.
Welcoming guests to the occasion, the state Commissioner for Transport, Obi Ozor, said, “In the first two weeks of my joining Mbah’s administration, the governor asked me, ‘Is there anything wrong or difficult in becoming like Dubai or Singapore in terms of transportation and logistics?'” I remember saying no, sir.”
“This is one of the days when we say Enugu’s mission is to transform Africa. Enugu does not need to wait for the future. The future is here with us,” he stated.
He thanked the governor for dreaming boldly and for getting his vision into action.
In a recent statement, the state government said the airline would begin its maiden domestic flight operations.
In the statement, signed by Ozor, the government expressed delight at announcing the launch of the state-owned commercial airline.
According to the statement, the airline is part of the integrated blueprint of the Mbah-led government for a modern, multifaceted transport ecosystem to make Enugu a major aviation hub.
A reporter with the ICIR
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