The Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, says the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) is not an investor in the Nigeria Air project.
In a statement issued by a Special Assistant (Public Affairs) to the minister, James Odaudu, on Saturday, he said the NSIA is not in any way involved in the Nigeria carrier bidding process.
The minister had earlier listed the agency as part of the local investors with stakes in the national carrier.
However, Odaudu said that the NSIA was not in the minister’s brief read during the presentation at the press briefing, but in the copy made available to the media, describing it as “an error made during its preparation”.
The statement read, “We wish to clarify that the Authority (NSIA) is not part of the private equity ownership of the airline, being a government establishment.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the equity ownership structure of Nigeria Air stands as Ethiopian Airlines 49%, Nigerian private investors (SAHCO, MRS and other institutional investors) 46% and the Federal Government 5%.
“The public, especially the business community and the media, should please note.”
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