January 11, (THEWILL) – Apex aviation regulatory agency in Nigeria, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has assured Nigerians that preparations for the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) Universal Safety Oversight Audit Programme (USOAP) Continuous Monitoring Approach (CMA) slated for the first quarter of 2022 are in top gear, and that the agency is fully prepared for the impending audits.
With a very successful record in the aviation Industry and on the heels of proactiveness, existing regime of robust regulations and over eight years of zero accident in commercial flight operation in Nigeria, NCAA is certain that the agency is primed to excel again.
These assurances were given by the Director General of NCAA, Capt Musa Nuhu in his address during the opening ceremony of the League of Airport and Aviation Correspondents (LAAC) training held in Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Kaduna State on the 10th January, 2022.
Capt Nuhu, who was represented by Mr Lulufa Vongtau, Assistant General Manager (AGM) Department of Air Transport (DATR), Kaduna Regional office appealed to all stakeholders, including the media to join hands with the agency to ensure a successful audit.
“From now on, all your reports are very sensitive. Let us eschew sensationalism capable of putting the nation in bad light. Therefore, I will advise anyone to endeavour to verify and confirm his/her stories before publishing, if in doubt. It is my view that your watchdog role plays a very important part in fostering stability in the industry”, Capt Nuhu advised.
He further stated that “These balancing, developmental and promotional stories are the hallmark of a burgeoning aviation industry like ours. Let us present our aviation industry as the most improved that it is. There is no doubt that there is increased confidence in the sector as new airlines are coming in and existing operators are expanding their routes”.
Nuhu added that continuous human capacity development is one of his administration core values.
According to Nuhu,”we consider training (including initial, on-the-job and recurrent training) as a key component of aviation development in Nigeria. In actual fact, training and retraining is a capital project for us as it is critical to our operations as the country’s apex regulatory authority for civil aviation in Nigeria. Our personnel are exposed to appropriate trainings all over the world so as to maintain and enhance their competence.”
Applauding LAAC, the DG said “one of your many contributions is the LAAC Annual Conference which has provided over the years, and is still providing veritable platform for stakeholders to converge and dissect pertinent contemporary aviation issues with a view to proffering workable solutions that will move the industry forward”.
He equally acknowledged the firm support of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Honourable Minister of Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika and the National Assembly, for getting their backs in strengthening NCAA oversight responsibilities.
Addressing participants, NCAT Rector, Capt. Moddibo Alkali Mahmud welcomed LAAC members to the College.
Capt Alkali who was represented by Deputy Rector, Mr Joseph Imalighwe stated that the College was ever ready to host the LAAC participants.
According to him, the course content has been designed in such a manner that the participants will enjoy and gain from the training.
He therefore, urged LAAC members to feel at home and be focused with the training that they have come for.
Also speaking, Chairman of LAAC, Mr Olusegun Koiki observed that the volume of knowledge gathered from the NCAT training under this programme has significantly helped LAAC as aviation media practitioners and journalists to disseminate aviation information more professionally and accurately amidst technological advancements in application of safety, security, economics and regulation of the sector.
He assured that this year’s training will further empower the media to play their roles as the fourth estate of the realm and in advancing the course of the industry.
The LAAC chairman equally applauded NCAT for the visible drastic improvements that have been recorded between when the league came for training in February 2021 and now.
Koiki observed that the introduction of NCAT off-campus programmes has, as expected, provided the opportunity for more people to have access to aviation careers and certifications.
Expressing thanks to NCAA as the major sponsor of the training, Koiki said “This is a positive phenomenon, considering the industry’s manpower challenges”, he said.
According to Koiki, LAAC will continue to support NCAT in pursuing its goals and objectives and ensuring that NCAT furthers its performance in the global aviation training market.
“As we commence this training, I appeal to our instructors, residents of NCAT and the entire Zaria community to accord us the usual hospitality that we have enjoyed over the years during the programme”.
About the Author
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.
