Chinedu Eze
In response to many years of the clamour by operators in the air transport industry, the federal government has promised to review the nation’s aviation policy to reflect the changing aviation sector, which is now private sector driven.
This was disclosed by the Minister of State for Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika who said the policy would be reviewed in order to accommodate the planned policies of the Buhari administration, which would include a master plan to reform institutions, airports (domestic and international hubs) and national airlines and to provide domestic and international services.
Sirika stated this during the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) 2015 World Aviation Forum holding in Montreal, Canada, 23 – 25 November 2015.
According to the Minister, “Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, will continue to upgrade and develop aviation infrastructure to improve aviation safety and security, thus creating an enabling environment for growth of airlines and other service providers, as well as protecting the interest of aviation end-users.”
In a keynote address, the ICAO President, Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu said it was an important goal for the organisation to assist member states to the highest extent, possibly with respect to the implementation of ICAO standards and policies.
”Only in this way can we ensure that ‘No Country is Left Behind’ and to optimise the socio-economic benefits which derive from safe, secure, and reliable air transport in Africa, fully in line with local needs and expectations.”
The Canadian Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau welcomed delegates and solicited greater collaboration and understanding among nations and peoples of the world.
Several speakers including the Colombian Minster of Transport, the Secretary General of World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), Director General of the European Commission as well as China and the US emphasised the connection between the effective implementation of global aviation standards and policies and the social and economic benefits.
The high powered Nigerian delegation led by the Minister of State, Aviation, Sirika, included the Canadian Acting Ambassador, Ja’afar Mohammed Balarabe, Directors from the Ministry of Aviation and CEOs of aviation parastatals who provided technical support.
The Forum drew participants from 99 countries on its first day.
