The disagreement between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Nigeria over airline slots the Arab country gave to Nigeria’s Air Peace, appears to be nearing its end as the UAE on Monday, decided to concede seven slots to the Nigerian carrier instead of one it earlier approved.
The Nation reported, citing sources, that the UAE also granted Air Peace the permit to fly directly to Dubai instead of Sharjah Airport.
Last week, Nigeria had taken a retaliatory decision against Emirate Airline over United Arab Emirate’s decision to limit Air Peace to one-weekly flight to the UAE, whereas Emirates got the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)’s approval for 21-weekly flights to Nigeria.
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In a bid to avoid the looming diplomatic row the development will cause, the UAE has rescinded its decision.
But in response to the report that it has directed international carriers operating into Nigeria not to airlift Nigerian travelers to Dubai, the UAE said it has no knowledge of that.
The Arab country’s decision to reverse its earlier decision limiting Air Peace’s flight’s slots into Dubai to one-weekly, was contained in a letter from the General Civil Aviation Authority, dated Dec. 13, 2021, to Air Peace, according to sources who spoke to The Nation. Although the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs was not copied in breach of protocol, the Federal Government was said to have received the letter.
“In the letter, the UAE said Air Peace can fly directly to Dubai and not Sharjah Airport. This is the latest on the development. Even though they did not follow the right diplomatic channel by writing to the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs which will in turn inform the Aviation Minister, this is still a positive development.”
Asked if the UAE has stopped other carriers from conveying Nigerians to Dubai, the source said, “This is in the realm of rumours. I don’t think it is true. No official communication banning Nigerians from entering Dubai through other carriers. If anybody has such a directive, let him or her produce it. It will be in gross violation of international civil aviation regulations.
“The Federal Government got no such information at the diplomatic or official level. I think with the latest concessions, the UAE was trying to avoid a diplomatic row with Nigeria. We also do not want any row with the UAE.”
Nigeria is showing readiness to reciprocate discriminatory foreign policies, especially with countries like the UAE, who have a lot to gain from Nigeria. A “do me I do you” sort of response to travel restrictions implemented by foreign countries seems also to be part of the new approach.
Hadi Sirika, Nigeria’s Aviation Minister had called the UAE’s decision “very insulting” and “not acceptable” by international treaties, conventions and agreements.
“And therefore I directed that they also be given one frequency and into Abuja and beginning from December 12. From December 13, they will only come once into the country. “So, anyone who wants to get into Emirates should get out by December 12.
“I know they cannot bear the pressure. Honestly, who cares? By their not coming, they are losing a lot of money and we also in Nigeria are losing the service they provide. But the sovereignty of 200 million people is too important to toil with,” he said.
Though thousands of Nigerians travel to Dubai weekly, a huge patronage to UAE’s tourist economy that it can’t afford to lose, the row between the two countries has been moving from one end to the other. Recently, the UAE announced the decision to stop issuing work visas to Nigerians. That was in addition to covid flight-ban that earlier halted airline activities between the two countries.
Nigeria is also gearing up to respond to the decisions of Canada, the UK and Saudi Arabia, placing it on covid red list over Omicron variant.
“We have given our input that it is not acceptable by us and we recommend that those countries – Canada, UK, Saudi Arabia and Argentina – be also put on the red list.
“So, like they did to us, if they don’t allow our citizens into their country; who are they coming as airlines to pick out of our country?
“So, they are not supposed to come in. I am very sure in the next three days; Monday or Tuesday, all those countries will be put on the red list of COVID-19.
“Once they are on the red list, which means they are banned, their airlines will also be banned. I am so sorry we are going through difficult times, but it is in the interest of our country,” Sirika said.
Beware of those who will tell you that you are unfit and unqualified, if you pay attention to them, then you could be in trouble for longer time than necessary.
Some tried to lecture us here, based on their supposed experience in international aviation and UAE as a country, what they didn’t tell us was how giving Air Peace one slot was beneficial to Nigeria and Nigerians.
In some people’s eyes, Nigeria is so useless that it cannot stand up for anything, so it’s very easy for them to side with other countries treating Nigeria unfairly, they will give you amalgam of reasons why Nigeria is the wrong party. This thing called slavery is still working its wonders in the minds of our people, and it’s going to take a very long time to obliterate such mentality.
No nation is nice in this world, and if you don’t get that memo, you will be gamed over and over, it never stops.
I just knew the retaliation strategy would work for a country like UAE and even the UK who have got much to lose in this trade with us… not too sure about Canada.
Thank you Sirika. I like this. Seeing Nigerian public officials standing up for the interest of Nigerian travellers and general interest of our economy
Amazing…
We Are not useless and such mentality in us need to be abolished
I think no country will mess with Nigeria if we keep retaliating this way..
Right now UAE not renewing visa for Nigeria or giving them job and I want the minister to also speak regarding that
I don’t blame all this countries that is insulting
Nigerians
I blem our leaders no unity among them
One person will take all they money
And keep for himself
Instead of using the money to develop
His country NG he will use it building hotel,
Schools and hospital in foreign land
But your people ????? are suffering
How I wish all countries will ban us
To travel to their country I will be happy
So that we will learn Nigeria Government please
Give us stead light we are tired of darkness
Let’s start from there
You said it all. Why anyone should respect a corrupt nation? Nigeria ranks 149 out of 179 in transparency international corruption index which translates to score of 25/100, so it is high time to introspect and look inwards rather than blaming others.
At least they’re not the most corrupt
A welcomed development if indeed TRUE.
Mutual respect is the foundation of genuine harmony.
This is a reflection of what we do in our country..we are under develop because of corruption.
Very True
Its a big slap on the face of Nigeria that it has relegated in the world due to visionless leaders steering the wheel of power its time we as nigerians vote wisely and make it count because we are the ones that vote them to power,lets say no to cabals and old folks jostling there way to deny them vote and go for young vibrant visionary,erudite,who has the masses at heart to reclaim our lost glory.
I’m very happy to be a Nigerian as a citizen because we’re doing great anywhere we are ,but another thing Nigeria government should look into is about our working permit U.A.E is rejecting our working permit I’m one of the victim we are losing our jobs over here please let government come to our rescue
Let not just start talking without actions, if you are traveling with Nigeria passport that when you will know the amount of damaged our leaders has done to that country Nigeria youth should units and push out all this old and selfish leaders which has been in coridon of power one thing them all have forgotten is that non of them was above 30years when them take over power from Britain
Je suis désolé de mon chère continent africain en général et du Nigeria en particulier il faudrait que les autorités nigeriannes prennent conscience de ce mépris par ces citoyens de la diaspora, aujourd’hui aucun pays africains n’a pas d’effectifs considérable à la diaspora que le Nigeria ce qui représente une ressource très considérable pour les pays voisins surtout pour les Émirats Arabes Unis. Mais force est de constater les mépris.
We are really expecting Mr Hadi sirika to speak on work permit that the UAE govt had been denying Nigerians from granted
Wish I was not a ?? I’m so Ashamed of the country because people reject me cause I’m from Nigeria
I applaud you Mr Sirika for your wise and courageous approach to this insults and discrimination from this country.
Kudos Mr sarika, for standing up for Nigeria. At least this “do me I do you” policy isn’t bad.