As both Nigeria and Jamaica strengthen their bilateral air service agreement, they want to explore the potential for a direct flight route.
Tunde Moshood, the Special Adviser on Media and Communications to the Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace Development, signed a statement on Wednesday that included this information.
For this engagement, the Jamaican Ambassador to Nigeria, Lincoln Downer and his Consular, Andre Hibbert were received in the office of Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo in Abuja.
Downer underlined that Jamaica and Nigeria might have mutually beneficial diplomatic interactions.
He emphasised the significance of strengthening and advancing bilateral ties, which includes examining the current Bilateral Air Services Agreement.
“I have been tasked by my country to review and improve on the diplomatic engagements between Jamaica and Nigeria, especially concerning air services,” said Downer.
The envoy from Jamaica also discussed the rising popularity of Nigerian culture in Jamaica, especially Afrobeat music and Nollywood movies.
He pointed out that this cultural interaction serves as another evidence of the necessity for improved aviation and diplomatic ties.
“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 added.
In his response, Keyamo commended the ambassador’s suggestions and stated that he was excited to go forward.
“I am delighted to start the BASA arrangements. To ensure a swift resolution, we will set up a committee to expedite the process,” said Keyamo.
He further committed to visiting Jamaica if necessary, stating that he would be willing to travel to Jamaica to finalize and sign the BASA agreement in person.
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It was mentioned that Downer revealed that Jamaica does not currently have a national airline and must rely on air travel from nearby Trinidad and Tobago.
In order to fill the air services vacuum, he suggested merging the BASA between Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica, highlighting the growing demand for travel from Nigeria to Jamaica.
In addition to expressing his sincere gratitude for Nigeria, Downer shared a fascinating finding from his four months of serving as Jamaica’s ambassador to Nigeria.
“I have since discovered that Nigeria might be my ancestral home after all,” said the ambassador
