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West African nations to create regional air-carrier
Monday, 30 May 2011 23:20
The Economic Community of West Africans set to establish a regional air carrier, called ECOAIR, it announced Saturday,
in the wake of repeated poor performance by local airlines, and the financial collapse of several national carriers. 'It has become increasingly difficult to fly from one country to the other within the sub-region, the airline companies are so erratic in their schedule, so we are meeting in order to operationalise ECOAIR' Victor Gbeho, resident of the ECOWAS Commission said.
Gbehho said the proposed West African Airlines would be a private sector driven venture. 'I met with stakeholders in the sector and their response was encouraging, through partnership they can get financing through larger capitalization and will be able to access, and tap into resources of member nations', he added.
Following a grant of 63.8 million euros from the European Union, the bloc has also began implementing a transport and transit facilitation programme - which includes the construction of five joint border-posts along major corridors in the region.
This development is the first major step towards the elimination of some borders within the ECOWAS bloc.
In a bid to further promote trade , the bloc consisting of 15 member state is expected to implement the single currency policy by 2020.
ECOWAS currently consists of Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.
Source:monstersandcritics.com
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Comments
At a time when air transport is becoming more & more expensive,due to fuel & high maintenance cost,I hope proper feasibility studies are carried out before any funds are poured into this project.
I personally would have preferred the construction of INTER-STATE ROADS or HIGH QUALITY MOTORWAYS connecting all member states to each other.
This would allow more movement of people,goods & services between the member states and also edge us closer to economic integration.
Introduction of rail & railway services could also be more beneficial than air transport,which may be only for the rich,due to cost of air fares.
Talking from an old experience I got in 2003 in one of the West Africa Airports when I was going to the Kindom of Ethiopia, an officer requested few thousands of CFA from me but I refussed to pay the money knowing all my rights as an ECOWAS citizen, and she only released me minutes before the flight was about to leave.
In the service of truth I remain
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