By Folasade Akpan
The Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) has expressed delight over the approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the establishment of the National Carrier (Nigerian Air) by the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Mr Micheal Ohiani, the Acting Director General of ICRC said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja after the decision approving the OBC that was certified by the ICRC for the establishment of the carrier was taken by the council.
Ohiani said that with the approval by FEC, the Ministry of Aviation would proceed to procure a Strategic Equity Partner (SEP) for Nigerian Air while simultaneously working towards getting the Air Operation Certificate (AOC) for the proposed carrier.
“With this development the ICRC will assiduously work with the Federal Ministry of Aviation under the leadership of the Minister, Mr Hadi Sirika to ensure that the targeted timeline is achieved.
“This will be in line with Mr President’s directive to the ministry to establish a suitably sized domestic, regional and international carrier that is designed to stay and be economically successful.”
Ohiani said that the project was expected to generate about 70,000 direct, indirect and induced jobs within the first 10 years of its operation.
He added that the airline is expected to commence operations in the second quarter of 2022.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Nigerian Air’s name and logo was unveiled at the Farnborough International Air Show in London in July 2018.
(NAN)
 has expressed delight over the approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the establishment of the National Carrier (Nigerian Air){kind=link}