The problems facing aviation minister Stella Oduah multiplied yesterday when President Goodluck Jonathan bowed to pressure and barred her from signing the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) with Israel. Oduah is still trying to explain how and why she
authorised the purchase or lease of two armoured cars at the cost of N255million. Public outcry has continued to trail the acquisition of the cars.
The BASA is the culmination of negotiations between Nigeria and Israel aviation officials for about a year now and was one of the highlights of President Jonathan activities in Israel where he is on pilgrimage. While the acting foreign affairs minister of Nigeria,
Prof. Viola Onwuliri, signed for Nigeria, the deputy foreign minister of Israel, Mr Zeev Elkin, did same for his country.
The development is contrary to a statement issued by Mr Joe Obi, special assistant (media) to the aviation minister, just before Oduah departed Nigeria for Israel. He said that the minister was going to sign the BASA on behalf of Nigeria. The statement was made available to journalists on October 22. It read:
“Nigeria and the State of Israel will today (23rd October, 2013) sign Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) to enable airlines from both countries fly directly to each other’s territory withoutstop-overs in other destinations.
“Aviation Minister Princess Stella Oduah will sign on behalf of Nigeria while her Israeli counterpart will sign for his country. Oduah left Abuja this morning to the State of Israel for the event.”
Also, the two pictures sent in from Israel by Mr Yakubu Datti, spokesperson for aviation parastatals, showed only Onwuliri and not Oduah signing the agreement.
Source: Leadershipng
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