Nigeria and Jamaica are moving forward with discussions to establish direct flights between both countries under the Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA), a step aimed at enhancing diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties.
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, welcomed the proposal from the Jamaican government, expressing his commitment to expediting the process. To ensure a swift resolution, he announced plans to set up a committee dedicated to fast-tracking the agreement.
Keyamo made this known while hosting the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer, and Consular Andre Hibbert, during a diplomatic meeting in Abuja.
In a statement released on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Tunde Moshood, Keyamo reaffirmed his readiness to personally visit Jamaica, if necessary, to finalize and sign the BASA agreement.
Ambassador Downer, in his remarks, expressed deep appreciation for Nigeria, revealing a personal connection he had discovered during his four-month tenure as Jamaica’s envoy.
“I have since discovered that Nigeria might be my ancestral home after all. This personal revelation set the tone for a productive discussion on strengthening the ties between the two nations, particularly in the areas of air services, trade, and investment,” Downer stated.
He emphasized the need to improve and enhance bilateral relations, particularly by reviewing and updating the existing BASA agreement.
“I have been tasked by my country to review and improve on the diplomatic engagements between Jamaica and Nigeria, especially concerning air services,” he added.
The ambassador highlighted the increasing influence of Nigerian culture in Jamaica, citing the popularity of Afrobeat music and Nollywood films. This cultural exchange, he noted, reinforces the need for improved diplomatic and air connectivity.
“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,” Downer remarked.
A major topic of discussion was the issue of air travel and connectivity. Ambassador Downer disclosed that Jamaica currently lacks a national carrier and relies on neighboring Trinidad and Tobago for air transport.
To address this challenge, he proposed incorporating the BASA agreement between Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago into discussions with Nigeria, considering the increasing demand for travel between the two nations.
This high-level meeting represents a crucial step towards strengthening Nigeria-Jamaica relations and lays the foundation for future collaboration in aviation, trade, and cultural exchange.
