The Nigerian government has debunked local reports that it has chosen Qatar Airways (QR, Doha Hamad Int’l) as the preferred bidder for its new national airline, Nigeria Air, pointing out that the bidding process has only just opened, Ch-Aviation reports.
“The report, coming just two days after the issuance of a Request For Proposal (RFP) which was published in local and international news media, is not only false but capable of discrediting the process for the establishment of the airline, and discouraging interested parties,” the Ministry said in a statement published by local media.
“We wish to state categorically that no corporate entity or individual has been appointed or selected, or even preferred for the project as the process for selection has just started with the Request for Proposal.”
“We wish to state that throughout the process leading to the publication of the Request for Proposal, the guiding principle has been transparency and accountability which we promised will remain till the final delivery of the project, and by which we stand.”
The West African country is planning to launch Nigeria Air (Lagos), as national carrier, and has opened a bid submission process that is expected to end in June this year.
Nigeria Air is to be a public-private partnership with the federal government to maintain 5% stake, while 49% would be held by strategic equity partners and 46% by Nigerian entrepreneurs.
The airline will have two hubs; Lagos and capital Abuja.
Nigeria denies choice of Qatar Airways as favorite bidder for national carrier
