Business
Africa Ranks Lowest On Aviation Safety
The Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah, said last Thursday that Africa had been rated the lowest in terms of ensuring safety in its air space.
Oduah said this in Abuja at the ongoing African Ministerial Conference on Aviation Safety in Africa.
“Aviation safety remains topical as available empirical data indicate that Africa is at the lowest rung of the ladder.
“The aviation safety scorecard can be changed through collaborative and cooperative engagements of African countries and institutions.
“This conference provides a unique platform for such critical discourse to bridge the gap,’’ she said.
Oduah said it was necessary for the continent to accelerate and sustain its developmental drive by enhancing safety of air transportation.
She said her commitment remained irrevocable in ensuring that the transformation of the aviation sector in Nigeria was accomplished in accordance with President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.
“This gave rise to the Airport Improvement Projects. The ministry has commenced implementation of phases 1 and II of the projects, covering the reconstruction of 22 airports.
“A component of the projects, include the upgrade and replacement of aviation safety and security infrastructures.
“It also includes the rejuvenation of oversight and regulatory functions of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).’’
Odua said the ministry had started preliminary works on the development of four new International Airport Terminals.
They are the Lagos, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and Kano International Airports.
She said the dynamism of modern airport operations had propelled the sector to embrace an aerothropolis concept to develop businesses around the major international gateways in the country.
According to the minister, the aerothropolis concept comprises of clusters of aviation business links aimed at boosting the country’s economic potential.
She added that this would ensure that facilities and infrastructures at the airports guarantee air safety, security, comfort and quality service for customers’ satisfaction.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.