Nigeria, Jamaica advance talks to strengthen air connectivity

Detailed summary

Nigeria and Jamaica have intensified efforts to strengthen bilateral aviation relations, with both countries moving closer to concluding and signing ...

Nigeria and Jamaica have intensified efforts to strengthen bilateral aviation relations, with both countries moving closer to concluding and signing a reviewed Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) aimed at improving air connectivity, facilitating travel and expanding economic cooperation.

The development followed a meeting between Festus Keyamo, Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, and Lincoln Downer, Jamaica’s High Commissioner to Nigeria, to review progress towards finalising the agreement.

According to a statement signed by Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the minister, the agreement has undergone extensive legal and technical reviews by officials from both countries, with the process now at an advanced stage.

During the meeting, Downer expressed satisfaction with the progress made, saying both countries had reached a critical point and were ready to agree on a date for the formal signing.

He said Jamaica had shared the legally reviewed text with Nigeria and was seeking an update on the status of the documentation to enable both sides to proceed.

“So we’re pleased now that we’re at the point where we can now sign. We shared the legally reviewed text with your team, so I haven’t heard from them. That’s what I wanted to know today, where we stand, so that we can then set the date,” the High Commissioner said.

In response, Keyamo requested the relevant file to establish the status of the agreement.

The minister was informed that the document had undergone the necessary review by the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and had been returned, with the process now nearing completion.

Keyamo subsequently directed that a final copy of the agreement be made available to the Jamaican envoy for a final review and proofreading to ensure that both parties were satisfied with its provisions before signing.

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