The Nigerian Government has started the review of its Bilateral Air Service Agreement process with Jamaica to enable a direct flight arrangement between both countries.
According to the statement by the media aide to the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Tunde Moshood, the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer, and Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Mr. Festus Keyamo, held a meeting on Tuesday in Abuja and that the ambassador expressed his deep appreciation for Nigeria, revealing an intriguing discovery from his four months as the Jamaican envoy to Nigeria.
The ambassador emphasised the potential for mutually beneficial diplomatic engagements between Jamaica and Nigeria and extolled the importance of improving and enhancing bilateral relations, including reviewing the BASA arrangements between the two countries.
Downer lamented that Jamaica currently lacked a national carrier and relies on neighbouring Trinidad and Tobago for air transport.
He proposed the idea of combining the BASA between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago to address the air services gap, underscoring the increasing demand for travel from Nigeria to Jamaica.
“I have since discovered that Nigeria might be my ancestral home after all. I have been tasked by my country to review and improve on the diplomatic engagements between Jamaica and Nigeria, especially concerning air services.”
Downer further shared the growing interest in Nigerian culture, particularly Afrobeat music and Nollywood films, which he said were trending in Jamaica. This cultural exchange, he noted, further reinforces the need for enhanced diplomatic and air connectivity between the two countries.
“There is no reason why we should not have a direct flight between our countries. Nigerians love Jamaica, and there is a rising demand for Jamaican spices in Nigeria,” he added.
Responding, Keyamo welcomed the ambassador’s proposals and expressed his eagerness to take the next steps at actualizing the BASA review and good relationship between the two countries.
Keyamo also promised to set up a committee to expedite the process and plans.
GIK/APA