Lagos to launch own Airline

Yoruba group, AYDM wants other SW States involved

By Bode Abidakun

The Lagos State Government has concluded plans to launch a new International Airline.

Disclosing this on Thursday in Lagos the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the airline will contribute immensely to the aviation industry in Africa.

He spoke at the Lagos West Sebatorial District Peoples’ Town Hall Meeting attended by Irohinoodua.

The event was attended by several community leaders, aviation experts, party faithful and traditional leaders.

The President, Alliance for Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM) who attended meeting said the alliance recieves the news with excitment.

The AYDM is the largest pan Yoruba coalition with some 132 affiliate members.

He said he would have wished the airline was a joint venture between Lagos and all the South West States including Kwara with Lagos as the major shareholder.

“It’s a great idea. I think th concept should be to have the greatest airline in Africa. I would have wished to see the airline as a Western Nigeria project” Popoola said adding that such a regional conception will strengthen the capital base of the airline and improve its ownership network.

He said the AYDM will write to the Governor of Lagos State to ensure other South West States are shareholders.

Sources told Irohinoodua that the project is expected to employ no fewer than 5000 workers for a start while thousands of people will operate services linked to the new airline

Sanwo-Olu said “Over the last five months, the Deputy Governor and I have been working to put a concise plan together for the establishment of an airline, but we did not make the plan open because of the need to get adequate knowledge about the operational procedures of the airlines.”

According to him, rhe business plan is viable and there is no issue about financing.

He said “The conversation has gone to an advanced stage but we need to get the proper information on operations before we go ahead to implement the plan.”

He said the Lagos West Senatorial District infrastructure development has been our priority since we came in. Over the last four years, we have completed over 70 kilometers of new roads and over two kilometers of bridges.”

He name the projects to include Pen Cinema Bridge, Ikeja Flyover and over 42 roads we have completed in Alimosho, Ifako, Agege, Ikeja, Mushin, Amuwo Odofin and Badagry.

He said “We also have over 30 ongoing road projects which are at various stages of completion within the district”