BY OLAPEJU OLUBI
Stakeholders in the Nigerian aviation industry have called on the government to restore the autonomy of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The stakeholders, under the aegis of the Aviation Safety Round Table Initiative made this call in a 39-point communique issued and signed by it’s secretary general, Olumide Ohunayo after a business meeting held in Lagos on July 11, 2023.
Speaking at the quarterly meeting, the group said NCAA should be allowed to deliver on its mission which is to provide aviation safety and economic regulation in the most efficient, effective, quality technology-driven manner to the satisfaction and benefit of all stakeholders.
Arguing that this was consistent with the highest international standards and the sustainable development of the industry and national economy.
They also called on the new administration of President Bola Tinubu to overhaul the nation’s civil aviation infrastructure that will support a $13 trillion economy projected to become one of the largest populations on earth, with a demonstrated propensity to travel by air by 2050.
The stakeholders further urged the federal government to provide a conducive environment for investment in Maintenance Repair and Overhaul to reduce costs for local airlines and generate foreign exchange revenue for the country.
Among others, they called for the establishment of an Aviation Stakeholder Committee modelled after the Bankers Committee to speedily address challenges in the sector and enhance development.
In attendance at the meeting included Senator Musa Adede, Chairman, King Airlines, Barrister Allen Onyema, Chairman, Air Peace Limited; Mazi Nnamdi Udoh, former Managing Director, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency; Captain Rabiu Yadudu former Managing Director, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engineer. Kayode Ajiboye, former Director of Airworthiness Standards, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority; Mr. Luqman Balogun, Executive Director, Homan Engineering amongst other members.
