LAAC 2021 conference: FG outlines steps taken to improve operating environment of aviation industry
Photo Caption:
From left Alhaji Muneer Bankole, MD/CEO, Med-View Airline; Captain Musa Nuhu, DG, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA; Mr Bernard Bankole, MD, Finchglow Travels; Engineer Akin Olateru, Commissioner/CEO, Accident Investigation Bureau representing Senator Hadi Sirika, Minister of Aviation; Captain Alkali Modibbo, Rector, Nigerian College of Aviation Technology at the 25th LAAC Annual Conference and Awards with the theme ‘Nigeria’s Aviation Industry: Management, Policy & Regulation’ held at Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Wednesday.
The minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has disclosed that the ministry of aviation in consultation with relevant government ministries, departments and agencies have taken some urgent steps to improve the operating environment of Nigeria aviation industry which had yielded some results.
Speaking at the 25th annual seminar of the League of Airports and Aviation Correspondents, LAAC Conference in Lagos on Wednesday, July 28, Sirika listed some of the urgent steps to include zero import duties on aircraft engine and spare parts, special foreign exchange window for the aviation sector, improved availability of aviation fuel, restructuring of the aviation agencies, improvement in aviation safety and security, upgrade of NCAT into a regional centre of excellence.
Others include: introduction of policies on remotely piloted Aircraft, employment Policies on the enforcement of Expatriate Quota.
Sirika who was represented by the commissioner of Accident Investigation Bureau, AIB, Engr. Akin Olateru at the event with the theme: Aviation in Nigeria: Management, Policy and Regulation stated that Nigeria presently has Bilateral Air Services Agreements (BASAs) with eighty-nine (89) countries while fifteen (15) countries have indicated their preparedness to sign BASAs with Nigeria and thirteen (13) other countries are in the threshold of re-negotiation.
He explained that: ” in 2016, after we conducted a diagnosis of the aviation industry, we convened a conference of all stakeholders where we emerged with a very clear road map for the development of the aviation sector with the ultimate aim of making aviation highly relevant to the Nigerian economy.
As you are aware Covid-19 has put the global economy to the test, with air transport being undoubtedly the hardest hit by the pandemic. The statistics from the International Airline Transport Association (IATA) on COVID-19’s economic impact on Nigeria has revealed a revenue loss of $994 million in 2020. In terms of employment at risk in Nigeria, it is 125,370 and loss of contribution to the GDP is $885 million”.
Sirika said the federal government was able to cushion the effect of COVID – 19 by providing intervention of fund of Five (5) Billion Naira for domestic airlines.
He noted that the ministry could not have achieved all these without the cooperation, constructive criticism and great understanding of everybody in the industry.
Sirika stated further that the ministry is committed to achieving the completion of outstanding projects it has set out for themselves before their term runs out.
He said Ministry has a vision of a sector that will provide utmost comfort, safety, and security for majority of passengers.
Sirika added that the Ministry in conjunction with the Aviation Agencies are working with the National Assembly to review/amend all the Aviation Agencies’ Acts to provide effective management of services and align with modern technological development in line with international best practices and development in International Civil Aviation.
The minister pointed out that the two Legislative Houses have held public hearings on the matter and at the stage of finalization of their Report.
He listed the review of the Acts to include: The Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority Act (NCAA) 2006; Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria Act 2010; Nigeria Airspace Management Agency Act 1999;
Nigerian College of Aviation Technology Act, 1964; Nigerian Metrological Act, 2003; and Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau Act, 2019.
Speaking at the conference also, the director general of NCAA, Capt. Musa Nuhu stated that the Authority like any organization has its own challenges and difficulties like attracting and retaining adequate number of technical personnel which is critical for effective oversight of the industry.
Capt. Nuhu noted that this problem is global and not peculiar to Nigeria as CAA’s salaries and wages are not competitive with that of the industry rival for the services of the technical personnel.
He said NCAA will continue to partner all stakeholders especially the media for the attainment of industry potential for the benefit of our people and country.
NCAA boss enjoined all stakeholders to join hands in collaboration and cooperation to grow the industry.
He listed some the actions taken to move the industry forward to include amongst several others:
Restricting of the Authority from 8 to 6 directorates for a more responsive and flexible functionality, the automation of internal process through the implementation change in management and acquisition of appropriate ICT systems, the review and repositioning of the Authority’s Regional Offices as tool to ensure oversight coverage of the entire nation and bringing the Authority closer to all stakeholders.
The NCAA boss stated that ICT is critical in ensuring the standardization and quality of service across all Regional offices,
Others are domestication of all inspector mandatory core courses, adding that almost 500 staff will complete these courses in less than 18 months at a fraction of the cost that would otherwise taken several years to implement as foreign training, ISO 9001 Certification of NCAA,
Movement into NCAA Corporate Headquarters in 3rd quarter of 2021,
stakeholders consultation to review the current Nig.CARS to align with the new Civil Aviation ACT taking into consideration new normal to promote the orderly growth of the industry especially General Aviation which the key to a successful industry, development of a medium and long term strategic plans in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.
He said the NCAA in collaboration with other aviation agencies is in full gear for preparations for the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme in 2022.
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