A former Managing Director of Nigeria Airways, Alhaji Mohammed Tukur Bature, has advised the Federal Government on how to go about its bid to revive the company, saying government should not make the mistake of buying the aircraft, but operate purely on lease.
The former MD who retired in 1985, said Nigeria as a nation deserved a national carrier like other countries of the world.
The former MD told Daily Trust in a chat that it would be good for the government to also set up administrative sections of the company before reviving it.
He commended the Federal Government’s bid to revive the airways which he said was a good idea and that Nigeria should have a national carrier as it had during the time of President Obasanjo before he sold it off, “In my opinion, at a very cheap rate, he said.
Bature said Nigeria being one of the biggest countries in Africa should have a national carrier.
“During my time, at least I knew that only Egypt Air had larger number than Nigeria, even South Africa, I think didn’t have as many aircraft as Nigerian Airways had.
“So I think it’s a good Idea to revive the airways, but in doing so, I think whatever they are going to do they need to look back to see how the setting of Nigerian Airways used to bem,” he said.
Bature said buying planes would, however, be counterproductive as there were better options to run the airline.
“Aircraft are too expensive because a 747 now costs over N200m. By the time I was there an aircraft like 747 that we bought was about N45m. And the airbus is costing much less, he said.
