The Federal Government on Wednesday predicted that Nigerians would soon begin to enjoy marginal reduction in airfares in the country.
The Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku, disclosed this while briefing State House correspondents on the outcome of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Maku was joined at the briefing by the ministers of Communication Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson; Education, Prof. Ruqqayatu Rufai; and State, Finance, Dr. Yerima Ngama.
The Information minister said the indication of a possible reduction in fares emerged from the presentation of the Minister of Aviation, Ms. Stella Oduah, to the council in continuation of the progress reports of ministries, departments and agencies of government, which started with the Ministry of Agriculture last week.
Maku said the reduction in airfares would come about as a result of the massive deployment of modern air safety equipment being experienced in the nation's aviation sector.
“There may be a marginal reduction in airfares in Nigeria very soon because of the deployment of modern air safety equipment in our airports. The deployment of the equipment will translate into gain in air time and cost,” he said.
Maku added that efforts by the Federal Government to float a national carrier for the country were already at an advanced stage.
He explained that the new national carrier would be private sector-driven to avoid the inadequacies of the past.
“Plan to have a national carrier is going on smoothly. There is also fresh initiative to ensure that the national carrier would be private sector-driven to eliminate inefficiency associated with government involvement,” he said.
The minister said the government was also working hard to ensure the emergence of stronger and more efficient domestic airlines.
This, he added, would be achieved by enabling the aviation industry to have access to funding that would assist in aircraft purchase and maintenance, among others.
