*Meggison

 

 

The Airline Operators of Nigeria have lauded the Federal Government for heeding to the worries of the airlines, manufacturers and the economic community over the signing of the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

Recall that operators last week expressed worry over the signing of the treaty , saying such action will be capable of imparting negatively on the nation’s economy, and they called on the Federal Government to reconsider its decision.

The AfCFTA is one of the flagship projects of the African Union Agenda 2063, aimed at creating a single continental market for goods and services, with free movement of business persons and investments and one currency, and is due to be signed by African heads of state in Kigali, Rwanda between March 21 and 22 (today and tomorrow).

The AON Chairman, Nogie Meggison, stated that the decision by the government to consult with technocrats on the policy would give Nigeria a win-win and mutually benefiting position for Africa and Nigeria.

He said, “I would like to on behalf of the AON and other well-meaning investors, entrepreneurs and other professional bodies that believe in Nigeria and have invested and continue to invest in Nigeria, to thank the President for taking a bold step to make a difference by not only taking on board our recommendations but also taking a strong decision to pause with the signing of the AfCFTA Treaty.

“We are happy that President Buhari postponed his trip to give us an opportunity to put our house in order before signing the treaty and to put Nigeria first.”

He said rushing to sign the treaty would have given other African nations and possibly some foreign nations unfair advantage entering into the Nigerian market and it would likely erode the good work the government had so far put in place to diversify the economy and reverse the gains of the present administration in reviving the economy

“For instance, a foreign company can easily bring in a shipload of rice to a Nigerian neighbouring country and re-bag as produced in Africa. History has shown that rushed treaties have put us in a disadvantageous position. That is why we have over 600 unemployed pilots roaming our streets, not to mention the numerous unemployed university graduates,” he said.

Meggison noted that while airline operators considered the AU 2063 Agenda as a good idea, they were however against the immediate signing of the AfCFTA.

We must pause and carry along the numerous professionals, technocrats and investors in order to position Nigeria not to make the mistakes of the past,” he added.