The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, has called on the Nigerian government to convert Arik air into a national carrier.
Mr Kuru said his agency has retrieved Arik from the brink of collapse and restructured and positioned it on the path of growth and profitability.
He said the National Assembly should, therefore, ensure that the government leverages on the potential of the airline as a stepping stone towards setting up a national carrier rather than trying to set up a new airline brand from the scratch.
The AMCON boss noted that a new airline will cost the federal government a fortune, especially in the face of the nation’s tight budget.
A statement by AMCON spokesperson, Jude Nwauzor, said Mr Kuru made the call in Abuja on Monday when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions led by Uba Sani, Chairman of the Committee and Orji Kalu, the Chief Whip of the Senate and Deputy Chairman of the committee.
Given the strategic and critical role the aviation sector plays in the development of the economy of any nation, Mr Kuru also called on the 9th National Assembly to reform the sector, which would help local airlines grow and attract many other investors that are eying Nigeria’s huge aviation business opportunity.
Mr Kuru said such reform will enable airlines such as Arik remain in business for years to come.