AFRICA has been urged to give attention to air transport as a way of accelerating integration on the continent to enable it play its rightful role in the global economy.
Namibian High Commissioner to Nigeria and Ghana, Madam Selma Ashipala-Musavayi, made the appeal at the launch of Air Namibia's operations to Nigeria via a code share commercial deal with Air Nigeria in Lagos at the weekend.
The envoy disclosed that among the most important mediums to be used to realise these aims was the provision of intra-African air transport infrastructure and solutions.
She said Nigeria was very special to her country and recalled that Nigeria made it possible for Namibia to restore peace in that country.
Nigeria, she equally explained, helped to train her professionals in all fields when the tiny country with just two million people was in turmoil.
She stated that Namibia was interested in using tourism to minimise conflict and to build confidence in themselves.
Her words: "Air transport is one of the tools that can help to accelerate the process of integration on the continent to enable it to play its rightful role in the global economy while addressing multifaceted social, economic and political problems.
"Among the most important media to be used to realise these aims is the creation and provision of intra-Africa air transport infrastructure and solutions."
Speaking in the same vein, the chief executive officer of the carrier, Theo Namases, said she was happy that Air Namibia was set to be part of the everyday life of the whole West Africa.
She reiterated that, "our leaders, either directly as individuals or through institutions such as African Union made a declaration for Africa as a continent to unite and develop."
The airline chief noted that they could not omit to express delight at the fact that the Africa so much desired by the founders of the African Union was an Africa that would be conscious of its potential and determined to exploit it particularly by pooling resources, an Africa critical of its own weakness and geared to actively participate in global trade.
She said they were also conscious of an Africa, which could not afford to wait until tomorrow to have its problems resolved; and an Africa determined to offer to its people, basic goods and services including air travel services at affordable prices.
Namases hinted that the launch of the airline into Nigeria was already bearing fruits considering the increase in the number of passengers travelling between Nigeria and Southern Africa on its flights via Accra, Ghana.
The airline has been facilitating successfully economic development through enhanced air transport linkages and diversifying trade relationships between Namibia and its trade partners.
With the launch, Nigeria is being served as an offline market, just as the Nigerian government is studying a proposal to allow the carrier begin direct flight to Lagos.
Source: How air transport can help Africa's growth, by Namibian envoy (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=50375:how-air-transport-can-help-africas-growth-by-namibian-envoy&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)