Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Ambassador to Qatar, Yakubu Abdullahi Ahmed, on Thursday said the new flights connection to Port Harcourt by Qatar Airways, will impact meaningfully on the country’s oil and gas industry.
Ahmed briefing newsmen at the inaugural commercial flight by Qatar Airways to Port Harcourt International Airport in Omagwa, said the connection would also provide important travel and trade links between Nigeria and the world.
The Qatar Airways’ Boeing 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft landed at 11:13 am on Thursday in Port Harcourt, marking the start of three new weekly services to Nigeria’s petroleum capital from Doha via Abuja.
Speaking, the envoy expressed optimism that with Qatar who was already on its 17th gas plant, while Nigeria was on its 7th, there will be a lot of knowledge transfer.
He added that Qatar Airways presents major window to service stakeholders of the bustling oil and gas industry in Rivers state; adding that his responsibility was to engineer a bilateral relationship between Nigeria and Qatar.
“Economically it means a lot for Nigeria. It will boost local businesses. It will impact meaningfully in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. Qatar is a major player in the global oil and gas sector, already they are on Train-17, while we (Nigeria) are on Train-7.
“Secondly, there are a lot of Nigerian engineers who are working in Qatar’s gas industry. So there will be a lot of transfer of knowledge.
“The new flights provide important travel and trade links between Nigeria and the world.
My responsibility as the Ambassador of Nigeria to Qatar is to engineer economic prosperity between Nigeria and Qatar. I look forward to a robust relationship between Qatar Airways and Nigeria.”
Also speaking, Qatar Airways’ Vice President Africa, Mr Hendrik Du Preez, said the new route will connect Port Harcourt, via Hamid International Airport in Doha, to more than 140 destinations across Qatar Airways’ network.
Preez also announced that Qatar Airways was the official airline of the Qatar 2022 FIFA Worldcup, while wishing the Super Eagles the best in the upcoming world cup in Qatar.
“Port Harcourt is an important economic hub for Nigeria, and we hope these new flights, linking it to the world’s financial and petrochemical capitals, will contribute to its ongoing success and pave the way for future growth. We anticipate good reciprocal demand between Port Harcourt and destinations in the USA and UK.
“Customers are at the heart of everything we do, and this new route is a response to the growing demand for connectivity to key global markets. With the launch of our new service to Port Harcourt, Qatar Airways’ presence in Nigeria now covers four key markets and is a real affirmation of our commitment to the country.”
For his part, Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, who officially received the inaugural flight of Qatar Airways to Port Harcourt, said the flight connection would enhance economic prosperity in the country.
Wike represented at the event by his deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, said the development will boost foreign direct investment into the region.
“We appreciate Qatar Airways for choosing Port Harcourt as a destination of choice This is happening at a time Rivers is witnessing infrastructural renaissance with 10 flyovers being delivered to ease movement around the state.
“This will further enhance the economy of this region and also boost the economy if the nigeria as well as bring in foreign direct investments in the country.”
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