Business
‘Sustainable Aviation Needs Govt Partnership’
To maximise aviation’s ability to sustainably drive global economic development and job creation, Governments at all levels have been urged to partner with the aviation industry operators to achieve these objectives.
The call was made by a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Captain Jonah Wabiran (Rtd) in an interview with The Tide on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
Capt. Wabiran who is also an aviation consultant, said Governments and industry share a common interest in aviation’s success noting that aviation is a business and a driver of economic and social development that is vitally important to governments.
He said that about 3 billion people fly annually and the nearly 50 million tonnes of cargo transported by air represent some 35 per cent of the value of goods traded internationally.
According to him, Aviation is a highly regulated industry at the national, regional and global levels. “Sustainability depends not only on what airlines do for themselves but also the policies adopted by governments,” he said, adding that regulations that are neither co-ordinated nor mutually recognised bring a high cost of compliance without corresponding benefits, while maintaining restrictions on airlines access to global capital and to markets has kept airlines financially weak. Policy efforts are needed in 4 areas: “Infrastructure-Mod-ernization of air traffic management is needed to reduce delays, save fuel and cut coz emissions.
User charges – effective regulation of monopoly suppliers is required to ensure sufficient infrastructure, reasonable returns for operators and cost-efficient prices for airlines in line with ICAD agreed principles.
Fees and Taxes – policies are needed thatre-invest aviation tax receipts back into the industry and to ensure that aviation is treated as an economic catalyst not a cash cow.
Regulation – an approach is needed that resists the urge to micro-manage competition, allows airlines to explore different business models and enables market forces to play out,” he posited.
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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