BY Olapeju Olubi
In a move consistent with deepening national security, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) in partnership with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and DRONETECX, a private firm, are set to unveil a portal to register all Unnamed Aircraft System (UAS) technology, also known as Drones, in Nigeria.
The move also seeks to make Nigeria a leading African nation in this arm of Aviation.
Already, the acting Director General of NCAA, Captain Chris Njomo, has given approval for the full participation of NCAA in the forthcoming 4th DRONE Technology conference and exhibition, where the NCAA dedicated DRONE desk will engage in direct interfacing with the public and set the agenda for the opening of the public registration portal to make civil DRONE licencing and process more seamless and open to all.
Najomo has also pledged to streamline the process of obtaining relevant Aviation licences and economic permits in alignment with the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo’s five-point agenda to facilitate a more business-friendly environment in the aviation sector.
This new development according to the organizer of DRONE Technology conference and exhibition, Mr. Fortune Idu is heart-warming for the DRONE sector, saying it has decried the absence of an open public ONLINE portal for the growing industry to register with the regulatory body.
Idu noted that Civil drone operations in Nigeria are under the regulation and monitoring of the CAA, and the present aviation administration is geared toward expanding the scope of air transport utilisation and optimisation of technology applications.
His words; “DRONE technology is expected to grow under this regime as the NCAA and its shadow partner, the Office of National Security Adviser (ONSA) have begun to rally all stakeholders together to pave the way for a multisectoral information exchange on advancing drone activities in a safe, secure and responsible manner while creating opportunity for wealth creation for Nigeria”.
“DRONETECX, supported by the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, identifies the potential of RPAS transformative power for enterprise development under a robust regulatory framework”.
“At DRONETECX 2024, NCAA and F.C.I International, the parent company of DRONETECX, will offer an introductory awareness bridge-building seminar, DRONE 101, to help all appreciate what is required as the basics for Drones entering Nigerian airspace”.
The organiser noted that the event is supported by the Federal Ministry of Aviation and Aerospace, endorsed by the Nigeria Unmanned Systems & Robotics Association (NUSA), and used by the Nigeria Drone Enabled Group as an advocacy platform for the safely, economically, and responsibly advanced drone technology in Nigeria and Africa.
Adding that it promotes DRONE 4 GOOD AFRICA and the Drone for Humanitarian Award.
He said the three-day event will unveil the wide-scale civil applications of Drones and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Technologies. It will bring a greater understanding of safe and economical usage and how it applies in all sectors: health, oil and gas, maritime, construction, rescue, videography, surveillance, logistics, mapping, agriculture, etc.
