LAGOS — Former President of Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Olisa Agbakoba, SAN, has forwarded a private Bill to the National Assembly, asking the legislators to provide a legal framework to protect the country’s national carriers on international operations.

He called for the repeal of the open skies agreement between the United States and Nigeria, with a view to ensuring growth of the local aviation industry.

He said the Bill, “Fly Nigeria Act,” is borne out of the shabby treatment meted out to Arik Air at London Heathrow, which triggered the current face-off between the Federal Government and its British counterpart.

Agbakoba, who questioned the legality of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement, BASA, between Nigeria and the UK, said, “Fly Nivgeria Act,” if properly implemented, would create instant lucrative market to support the country’s national carriers.

He said in the bill forwarded to the Senate and House of Representatives: “As a result of the mistreatment of Arik Air by British Airways, I submitted a private Bill on a new legal framework to support and promote National Carriers operating internationally.”

“The Bill is called “FLY NIGERIA ACT”. It is internationally recognised. The United States has legislated the FLY AMERICA ACT. At a minimum FLY NIGERIA ACT will compulsorily require government funded travel to originate and terminate on a national carrier and may be code shared by a non national carrier.

“FLY NIGERIA ACT also appeals to the patriotism of Nigerians, who are privately funded to fly on Nigerian carriers. Chief M.K.O Abiola was a stellar example of supporting national carriers by flying them. Nigerian business community can rally support around FLY NIGERIA ACT.