LAGOS - Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola has posited that the restoration of direct air links will promote efficient business relationship between Nigeria and some South American countries such as Brazil and Argentina.

Fashola made the call while speaking with newsmen at the presidential lounge of the Murtala Muhammed Airport, explaining that the development was a catalyst in fostering business and investment opportunities between countries in the South South region.

The governor on his arrival from tour of some South American’s states including Brazil and Argentina where he attended the International Bar Association (IBA), conference as well as a cultural festival of Yoruba’s in the Diaspora, explained that the restoration of direct air links would promote efficient business relationship.

According to him; “There are so many things to learn from Brazil and Argentina. But l think that first, it is instructive to understand that in less than 15 years, Brazil has turned its economy around and that has been largely as a result of the leadership and commitment of the people and they did it in such a recent time that we can take the benefit of the experiences and avoid the mistakes that they made in getting to where they are.

The first is to establish links between Brazil and Argentina and Nigeria. Having to fly almost 21 hours through the coast of Lagos to Europe, only to go back will not foster efficient business relationship. The only thing that separates us from South America is the Atlantic and a direct flight that will not take more than seven hours, but now we have to fly for almost 24 hours to get home. So, the first thing we will be doing is to enable much more direct contact by air.”

According to him, the Brazilian authorities are very disposed towards having air transportation between the two countries because there is both Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) and bilateral agreements to that effect between Nigeria and Brazil, adding that what was needed was for the Nigerian government to speedy up the process on it part by allowing for a designated airline to serve the route.