February 13, (THEWILL) – The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, has assured all Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) holders of government support, to enable them to continue their operations.
Sirika also commended all those who have already acquired their AOC for the services they have provided to the public.
He said, “Air Peace, Max Air, Ibom Air, Aerocontractor, Green Africa and others. The testimony is such that during Buhari’s administration of 2015-2023, the number of airlines doubled in Nigeria. It is the first time ever. In fact, there is a global belief by ICAO, IATA and others that aviation doubles every 15 years. That has been long debunked by the Buhari government because, within the first four years, we have doubled aviation.”
The Minister, who disclosed this at the Nigeria Aviation Award (NIGAV), said the significance of civil aviation in the scheme of things of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the economy of a country cannot be overemphasised.
He re-emphasised that the Buhari administration’s aviation sector was very concerned about safe and secured flights from departure point, arrival and everything in between.
The Minister, who clinched the Aviation Man of the Year NIGAV award, noted that there were many things passengers do not see that the government has put into the sector of easy flying, adding that passengers were only worried about what they see.
According to Sirika, the aviation sector has contributed immensely to the development of the economy in various ways
“The passenger is worried about the air-conditioner, lifts, toilets and the ecstatics. They are very important items, they must work, it is part of passenger facilitation. But if you happen to be a policy maker or the manager of scarce resources and if you happen to be a core aviator, then your focus will be more on the safety and security and the efficiency of the sector, as against the ecstatics.
“I am not claiming that we are not paying attention to those, the testimony that we have lots and lots of terminal buildings, especially the big four with Enugu coming up, makes a huge statement as to our attention to those things that we think are a second grade of our activities”, he added.
Sirika explained that for 15 years, runway 18 left, which used to be 19 left, has been without airfield lighting and reduced to daylight operation, but said it has come alive and functional.
The Minister equally announced that the central taxiway, which has been finished, has begun to work, adding that only an aviator will understand how it contributed to safe and very efficient operation.
Sirika, however, said the next minister after him may not like the roadmap, but said the person must like making the industry safe, secure and efficient as a preferred mode of transportation, where people will invest and make good returns.
He said Covid-19 has contributed to making the aviation sector stronger, saying the world has had a fragile aviation infrastructure.
Sirika thanked the organisers, especially Fortune Idu and Richard Aisuebeogun for putting together the event, saying that for someone to take it upon himself to organise and access people who contributed to the industry was very unique and a huge task.
“As we leave the centre stage, we will continue to contribute our quota to the development of the industry, just like those who have left before us. I only accept 3 awards out of about 300 and it is for a reason.”
In his welcome address, the Chairman, organising committee, Mr Fortune Idu, said the year 2022 was a tough year with a succession of economic disruptions that eroded the gains of the quick recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Idu said Nigeria’s Aviation sector was not insulated from this disruption as the high cost of energy and unstable exchange rate held the industry hostage but noted that the industry recorded remarkable growth that made it one of the fastest growing sectors in Nigeria.
“It is, therefore, very important for us to acknowledge the relentless efforts and contributions of all those who have helped towards this remarkable achievement.
“The theme, ‘the coming of a new era’, is an acknowledgement that we are on the verge of a new administration, which may come with new policies or a variance of the old, it, therefore, requires that as professionals in a very technical and sensitive industry for us to be caught unprepared and to be alert to our responsibilities of guiding the industry to continue in the pathway of growth even in the new era.”
Idu explained that for the first time, the voted awards were completely electronic, online voting with 1,400 votes from both the industry and the flying public, adding that they were gradually migrating into an online and internet-based platform, to set in place a more efficient, inclusive and credible selection process.
He thanked all those who took the time to nominate and vote and urged those who were passive to accept in good faith whatever the outcome of our process brought as they can only make an impact by suggestions, nominations and voting.
He said NIGAV does not sell awards, as they were aspiring to be Nigeria’s SKYRAX and want to make a positive change.
“We continue to create true Nigeria aviation ambassadors out of Nigeria’s elegant and well-respected cabin crew, through the contest for The Nigeria King and Queen of the Air Crown. This joint airline contest is to promote best practices in in-flight safety and human management of passengers by the cabin crew. It is an industry-unifying contest, where all the contestants will emerge as Nigeria’s Air Ambassadors.
“We want to thank the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority and The AIB Now National Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Nigeria Airspace Management Agency, for supporting this programme.”
Anthony Awunor, is a business correspondent who holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Linguistics (UNILAG). He is also an alumnus of the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria Kaduna State. He lives in Lagos.
