FG clarifies Air Nigeria, as Mustafa Chike-Obi Pooh-pooh idea
By Ogbuefi Ndigbo
The Minister of State, Aviation, Hadi Sirika, said that by December this year, the national carrier would come on stream. By December 19, 2018, the first five aircraft that would be operated by the airline are scheduled to arrive and its operations will start off.
Sirika revealed that $8.8 million would be spent in berthing the airline, using $300 million as take-off cost. He said the airline would be private sector-driven, as government would have only 5 per cent stake. The airline would start with initial 81 routes already identified.
However, critics say the minister said that the new airline would be private sector-driven, but he did not explain the equity of the airline. He has not made it clear that the airline would have core investor or technical partner but government has been talking to Qatar Airways since 2016 about the airline.
If the airline would be private sector-driven why is the minister discussing with aircraft manufacturers single-handedly without involving other investors.
While there is so much talk about the new airline, there is nothing on the ground to show that the nation’s airline would soon take to the skies less than six months to the target date.
But Mr Mustafa Chike-Obi, Inaugural CEO of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria. University of Lagos trained Mathematician. Stanford M.B.A.. Wall Street Veteran. Goldman Sachs, had tweeted:
Am baffled. Air France/KLM paid 286 million dollars for 31% of Virgin Atlantic last year, but we are putting up 300 million dollars for 5% of a start-up airline?? Would really appreciate a rational explanation.
My tweet yesterday was honestly asking a question, the answer of which I believe any patriotic Nigerian would care about. I made no accusations or inferences. After all the comments, and some insults, the question still stands.
For further clarity, Delta bought 49% of Virgin Atlantic in 2012 for 360 million dollars. So is investing 300 million dollars for 5% of a startup airline a matter of national pride, a sensible economic decision, or something else entirely?
Final words on Nigeria Air. It appears it is really a 100% Gov. Sponsored Enterprise (GSE )that would transform into a PPP in the future when FG sells down 95% to investors. They should just have said so. Pray the process of selling down the 95% follows all due process.
There are more important national issues than the airline for us all to focus on. I sincerely wish our smart and hardworking Aviation Minister all the success with this venture. It is in all our interest as Nigerians that it becomes a source of pride to Nigeria.
There are more important national issues than the airline for us all to focus on. I sincerely wish our smart and hardworking Aviation Minister all the success with this venture. It is in all our interest as Nigerians that it becomes a source of pride to Nigeria.
— Mustafa Chike-Obi (@ChikeMustafa) July 23, 2018
SEE below federal government response:
Matters Arising – Revisited (Air Nigeria/Nigeria Air)
– Who are the owners of the 95% equity?
Answer: The 95% will be owned by the strategic investor and the general public.
– Why is the ownership shrouded in secrecy?
Answer: No secrecy. The entire process is guided by the infrastructure concession regulatory commission guidelines/regulations. Because it’s a PPP, it has 3 stages the project development stage, procurement stage and implementation stage. The project development stage was just concluded with the approval of the Outline Business Case, which the ICRC issued a certificate of compliance. At the moment OBC is awaiting FEC approval. Once the process gets to procurement stage, there will be a RFQ and RFP bidding process which will be made public, competitive and transparent. Shares will be set aside for the Nigerian public (IPO). All ownerships will be made public. As it stands now, it’s only the 5% that will be in the governments hand.
– Why is 5% equity holder funding the business?
Answer: The Government is not funding the entire project. It’s just providing start up capital in the form of Viability Gap Funding. Once the strategic investor is in place, they will be expected to build on the initial investment made. The OBC suggested that if there is a need to start the business in order to attract credible investors.
– Where are these fundings $8m, $300m coming from? Budget? Borrowing?
Answer: These fundings are from the OBC. I’m not sure about the $8m. But the $300m is the funding requirement for the next 2018 ($55m), 2019 ($100m) and 2020 ($145m). The funds for 2020 will most likely be paid by the strategic investor. Kindly note the term funding requirement. It does not mean the exact amount to be expended. It may end up being lower than the $300m based on initial discussions and projections.
As mentioned earlier, this will form part of the VGF. The Government can decide to fund it through budgetary allocation or development financial institutions like AFREXIM bank, AFBD, ISDB etc, which have indicated keen interests in funding this project.
– Are the aircrafts under lease agreement? If yes, for how many years?
Answer: As you may be aware it’s almost impossible for you to pay and get a new aircraft immediately because it is not a shelf item. However, as part of our discussions with the major Manufacturers, we will pay the deposit for brand new aircraft and they will support us in getting very good lease aircraft coming directly from C Check and certified by them. By the time the new aircrafts are ready, they will be replacing these leased aircraft, till all the aircraft are owned by the airline. According to the manufacturers, the new aircrafts will start coming through from 2021.
– If it’s private investment, why would a 5% equity holder determine the name, logo and other trademarks of the airline?
Answer: At the moment only the 5% equity holder is in place.
These are requirements for an ATL and AOC. In any case Name and Logo can be amended it the owners feel it’s not right for the business.
However, this airline line is going to represents our Nation, the Name, Logo and Color should be in line with what was done.
– Is Nigeria Air same as Nigerian Airways? Staff of the airline are waiting for their entitlements.
Answer: Well you can ask the owners of Air Nigeria, because what we have is Nigeria Air which is a totally different entity from Air Nigeria and Nigerian Airways. You can seek further clarification and confirmation from the CAC.
– Since it’s private sector driven, why not adopt any of the existing airlines in Nigeria as the National carrier?
Answer: The existing airlines have their own business plans which do not conform with the OBC developed by the TA. Furthermore, to attract a good strategic investor, it’s best to start on a clean slate.
– Are there sinister motives? Sure! Time shall tell.
Answer: You are absolutely right, time will tell!!!
Facts that you may need to compare notes:
Answer: The facts below are duly noted. However, you may wish to note business are operated to suit a particular environment. Nigeria is completely different from all the countries mentioned below. The airline business is not a 1 size fits all business. What we did was to identify our needs. Now we are trying to use our strength to get the opportunities that are out there in order to minimize our weaknesses and overcome our threats.
Some tweeted this which is very true “An age where people can hashtag, tag and tweet useful suggestions on improving aviation industry especially on the back of #NigeriaAir launch..they spend it being bitter and doomsday prophets @hadisirika and others am sure are receptive to positive ideas. @mustyjun2000” The HMSA Sen. Hadi Sirika has mentioned times without number that he welcomes constructive criticism, it helps him in doing his job better.
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On flyairnigeria.com, see below critique sent to me: