The Minister of State Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika says Cape Verde has signified interest to establish and embassy in the country.
The Minister who disclosed this during a sideline meeting at the just concluded the First ICAO/UNWTO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport in Africa, held in Sal, Cape Verde, said this was in furtherance of Cape Verde of its plans to begin air transport relationship in line with existing Bilateral Air Service Agreement between the two countries.
According to the minister after a discussion with Cape Verde representatives, “We have just concluded a meeting with Cape Verde authority and they have signified interest to start flight operations into Nigeria. Cape Verde is willing to exercise their right in the Bilateral Air Service Agreement and hopefully to seek a Nigeria airline that will reciprocate through flight operation into Cape Verde.”
“They will start operations into Nigeria very soon and we hope that Nigeria airlines will take the opportunity too, as they have already said they are looking forward to a Nigerian airline to partner with.”
“Apart from the flight operations, the country is also planning to establish its embassy in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja”.
On his twitter handle ‘@hadisirika’, the minister said: “Cape Verde to open an embassy in Abuja this year and also to commence direct flight”.
Another source who is privy to the meeting said Cape Verde has agreed to fulfill all necessary commitment and go through the process in line with international best practices.
He also hinted that ‘Cape Verde is ready to begin the operation with its national carrier, Cabo Verde Airlines and they are looking at this year.’
According to the source: “The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority will embark on inspection trip to Cape Verde to look at their facilities and their airlines in form of an audit before a final approval is given for them to commence operations into Nigeria.”
