Posted by by Oluyinka Akintunde, Abuja on
The Federal Government, on Monday, waived the penalty of $32 million placed on Air India over a security breach involving the airline in 1987.
The Federal Government, on Monday, waived the penalty of $32 million placed on Air India over a security breach involving the airline in 1987.
The security breach resulted in the stoppage of flight operations between the two countries.
The government also on Monday formally handed over the instrument of pardon granted Air India to the Indian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. Harihara Viswanathan.
Addressing a news conference in Abuja, the Minister of Aviation, Mallam Isa Yuguda, said the cancellation of the fine was approved by the president during his visit to India in 2000.
'We had our own share of difficulties in 1987, when the unfortunate incident which led to the halt of Air India operations to Nigeria occurred.
It is to the credit of our two great countries that in spite of the enormity of the unfortunate incident, we approached it with tact and maturity consistent with the long cordial and fraternal relationship between our two countries.
'We both felt the need to resume air links, which were established between our two countries with the signing of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement in 1987. This was achieved in year 2000 during a State Visit to India by President Olusegun Obasanjo where he promised to pardon Air India," Yuguda explained.
As part of the resolution of the impasse arising from the security breach, the Aviation Minister said Nigeria's Bellview Airline would commence operations to Mumbai, India, on June 20.
The Punch, Tuesday, June 14, 2005