NCC Cautions FG Against National Carrier Launch

The National Vice Presi
dent, Nigeria Chamber of Commerce, Mr Billy Harry, has cautioned the federal government on the proposed launching of a national carrier to fly the country’s flag based on past experience.
Mr Harry, who spoke with aviation correspondents at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, said the idea of having a national airline like other countries was a positive development but caution must be observed to avoid a repeat.
“I think it is needful and necessary to have a national carrier to fly the nation’s flag but we should first find out what went wrong with the one we had and how we sold the former carrier for peanut,” Harry said.
He posited that adequate capacity should be put in place to avoid a repeat of the past and allow for competencies that can compete favourable with others in the competitive world of aviation business.
The National Vice President also called on the government to invite private sector for discussion and designation of role to ensure the realization of the objective and checkmate the mistakes of the past.
On the activities of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), where he held away before moving up, Mr Harry said the chamber is continuing with its vision of reformation and re-engineering started by the tenure of Elder Iyke Ochia.
“I think PHCCIMA is growing tremendously with quality membership and participation in the economic growth of Rivers State and Nigeria at large,” he stated, stressing that the vision of attracting foreign investors to partner with local businessmen is even being pursued with greater vigour by the present leadership.
Mr Harry admitted that the activities of Boko Haram, has affected business activities in some parts of the country but added that the effect was insignificant as the body recently held its national election in Kano.