Aviation
Experts Advocate Full Autonomy For NCAA
A group of experts. Aviation Round Table (ART) has advocated full autonomy for Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to enable it perform its statutory responsibilities adequately.
The ART made the call in a statement issued by a member, Mr Olumide Ohunayo, on behalf of its President, Mr Gbenga Olowo, in Lagos, Monday.
The group maintained that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), in any modern state, should be the arrow head in the observance, enforcement and implementation of internationally agreed standard and practices.
According to the ART, the CAA’s autonomy cannot be compromised in the interest of aviation security and safety.
“Thus, all extraneous interference inhibiting its effectiveness should be removed to facilitate its regulation and supervision of the industry in the areas of aviation security programme, airport periodic maintenance, airlines economic audit, operational safety issues, among others.
“NCAA should be strengthened to continuously enforce the National Aviation Security Programme,” it said.
The ART also called for human capacity development of NCAA employees in order to improve safety of the industry.
“The efficiency of the NCAA, as an important regulatory authority, is being impeded by lack of skilled or adequately trained staff.
“We, therefore, advise that the observed human capacity deficiency in the industry be rapidly addressed through the establishment of human capital development plans, institutional succession planning and mentoring programme across the industry and organisations with huge investment.”
The group also reiterated the need for Nigerian airlines to enter mergers and strategic partnerships to overcome some of the challenges facing the industry.
The ART said: “Symbiotic relationship is a prominent feature globally acclaimed in the aviation industry.
“The Nigerian experience has witnessed early death of airlines within a lifespan of five years with attendant multidimensional consequences.
“In order to arrest this unenviable cycle of failures, we believe that a recapitalisation of airlines through the instrumentality of mergers, alliances and code-sharing arrangements could be the panacea. “
According to the group, participants (airline operators) in the industry should be required to be quoted on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).
The ART said they should also comply with the revised NCAA prescribed acceptable minimum fleet size alongside other requirements to promote good corporate governance and widen the public shareholding base of airlines.
It said, as incentives to the airline operators, the Federal Government should effect a downward review of the various taxes and charges.
The group further urged the government to review and possibly re-negotiate the various international air service agreements with a view to obtaining terms favourable to Nigeria’s aviation industry. (NAN)
As a measure to curb corruption and restore accountability, the Association of Nigeria Aviation Professionals (ANAP), has called on the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, to push for the urgent formation and inauguration of governing boards for all other aviation agencies.
ANAP’s Secretary General, AbdulRasaq Saidu, made this call at the weekend when interacting with aviation correspondents, in reaction to recent inauguration of Board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
Keyamo had recently inaugurated the FAAN board, more than six months after its members were appointed by President Bola Tinubu, where Dr. Umar Ganduje was named Board Chairman, with FAAN’s Managing Director, Olubunmi Kuku, as the Vice Chairman.
Other board members include representatives from the Ministries of Justice, Defence, Tourism, and Aviation, as well as professionals from the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, and FAAN’s legal department.
The ANAP scribe there urged the aviation Minister not to stop at FAAN but to ensure that all aviation parastatals are given functional boards to restore order and credibility to the sector.
He, however, commended Keyamo for recently inaugurating the board of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria but stressed that more needed to be done.
Saidu also warned that the continued delay in constituting boards for other aviation agencies creates room for unchecked abuses, including illegal contracts, fraudulent employment practices, and mismanagement.
“The absence of governing boards violates the enabling Acts that established these agencies. Only properly constituted boards can enforce discipline, ensure due process in decision-making, and provide oversight to prevent corruption”, Saidu said.
He emphasised that the aviation unions, including ANAP, have consistently raised concerns about poor governance and lack of transparency within the aviation system.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to act swiftly by appointing board members for all relevant agencies, in the interest of fairness and aviation safety.
Saidu also tackled the former Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, for failing to inaugurate any boards during his eight-year tenure, despite appointments being made by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“ANAP raised the alarm several times under Sirika’s leadership, but nothing changed. That lapse has continued under the current administration, and it must be addressed now”, Saidu stated.
By: Corlins Walter
