By Chidiebere Ugwu
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo SAN, CON FCIArb. is to witness the inaugural flight of Uganda to Nigeria.
Odutayo Oluseyi, the Head, Press and Public Affairs (HPPA) in a statement, said the Minister made the assurance during a courtesy visit by the Uganda High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ambassador Nelson Ocheger.
Keyamo, while thanking the Ambassador for the visit said Nigeria and Uganda have a long history of brotherhood. He said the direct flight to be witnessed will mark the beginning of partnership between the two countries while noting that free trade agreement between African countries can only easily come through free Skys.
While inviting the Honourable Minister to the inaugural flight to Nigeria scheduled for Thursday, 19th October,2023, Ambassador Nelson Ocheger also informed the Minister of the Business forum slated for Friday, 21th, October, 2023 where business entrepreneurs from Uganda will meet their Nigerian counterparts for collaboration and business opportunities.
Earlier, Keyamo assured the Algerian Ambassador, Mr. Hacine LALTI who paid him a courtesy call in his office of a review of the Bilateral Air Service Agreement between Algeria and Nigeria.
He said the demand for a direct flight to Abuja will be achieved noting that the meetings of aeronautical engineers from both countries slated earlier for December will be brought forward tentatively to the 7th of November to Fastrack the BASA agreement review as demanded.
Speaking earlier, the Algerian Ambassador, Mr. Hacine LALTI expressed appreciation to the Minister for hosting him. He demanded for a review of the July 14th, 2022 agreement to include a direct flight to Abuja, saying that the government of Algeria have identified Nigeria and South Africa as business opportunities countries and is willing to partner with them.