Cabinet forges ahead with plans for air bridge to West Africa; Nigerians to perform at Carnival during four-day luxury stay
In spite of continued calls for a public inquiry into the Antigua
Airways/African migrant-smuggling saga, and after 17
Cameroonians were lost at sea in a boating accident, the Gaston
Browne Administration is pushing ahead with plans to establish an
air bridge to West Africa.
According to this week’s Cabinet Notes, the Executive has
determined that its effort to establish an air bridge with the African
continent is to be continuously pursued.
To this end, the Administration is forging a relationship with Air
Peace, the largest private carrier in Nigeria, and has invited it to
invest in a new LIAT 2020 Ltd.
According to this week’s Notes, “The Cabinet is of the view that the
capital required to make the new LIAT worthy is not forthcoming
from the former shareholders of LIAT 1974 Ltd.”
Therefore, another investor is required and Air Peace has indicated
its capabilities to finance the venture, the Cabinet says.
The Notes say the Nigerian airline will also seek to establish regular
flights between West Africa and Antigua and utilize LIAT for ferrying
its transit passengers to other Caribbean countries. This, the
Executive says, will build up LIAT’s capacity to fly outside the
region.
Meanwhile, the Notes claim that arrangements are being made to
share Nigeria’s “rich cultural tapestry” during the Carnival 2023
period, by way of a group of cultural artistes.
No details were given about the number of performers; on which
shows they will be featured; their remuneration; or at whose
expense they will be brought here.
All the Cabinet Notes say is that these artistes will stay at one of
Antigua’s luxury hotels and return to their homeland, via Air Peace,
at the end of the Carnival festivities.
Residents say they will be keeping an eye on this undertaking, given
what transpired after the November 1, 2022, inaugural flight of the
short-lived Antigua Airways.
Persons say they are curious to hear what the Administration’s
excuse will be if its plans do not pan out, since – by its own
admission – it was duped in the last venture.
Showing great skepticism, a source says that the re-emergence of
flights from Africa at this time – just ahead of a by-election – seems
very suspicious.
And, once again, residents are asking whether money will be
brought in by this means to ensure a Labour Party victory in St.
Mary’s South.
