The minister of state for aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika has urged the payers and stakeholders in the aviation sector in the continent to explore the benefits of the Yamoussoukro Declaration for greater air transport connectivity across the Africa continent.
Senator Sirika who was represented by the director of safety in the ministry, Captain Taba Alkali gave this charge in Accra, Ghana at the 10th African Air Transport Safety and Security Summit held at the Best Western Premier hotels over the weekend, noted that safe, secure and efficient customer focused air transport system remained the benefit of sound aviation.
According to him, connectivity will play a critical role in the development of African economics which can be achieved by implementing the ideas of Abuja declaration that set a target for African airlines to reach world class safety levels by 2015.
Sirika said: “Connectivity is vital for African growth and development, supporting about 6.9 million jobs and $80.5 billion in economic activity
and hoped that it will closely knit relationship with seamless connectivity between Nigeria and Ghana in the near future.
Senator Sirika traced the relationship between Ghana and Nigeria to over several decades which has led to the exchange of knowledge and friendship through many bilateral partnerships in the area of personnel training, expertise and information sharing.
He charged airlines to live up to their responsibility of ensuring travelers confidence in the sector though the service provided to the public.
Senator Sirika while saying that socio-political and cultural ties have been made possible and galvanized by a robust Bilateral Air services Agreement, explained that no less than three Nigerian airlines with the fourth commencing operations shortly, business connections, leisure travelers and students between bother countries will be strengthened.
Sirika commended the Ghanaian ministry of transport and the professionalism of the highest standard exhibited by the Ghana Civil Avaition Authority in allowing the implementation of the Yamoussoukro decision between Nigerian and Ghana.
The minister noted that significant progress has been made in the Abuja declaration with airlines meeting deadline but stressed the need for synergy between government regulators and operators to ensure that goals were achieved.
He described air transport as the most efficient and effective means of transportation for people and high value low volume goods for the West African continent
Sirika ephasised the need for improved infrastructure, upgrade facilities and trained personnel to the highest level of proficiency and professionalism.
