Amongst 35 African Nations that have signed Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) commitment, 18 countries have taken further steps to signing to Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) Pilot Implementation Project (PIP), that is, ‘Club of Ready and Willing States’ making it a historic turning point for air transport and economic development in Africa.
The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) is a flagship project of the African Union Agenda 2063, an initiative of the African Union to create a single unified air transport market in Africa to advance the liberalisation of civil aviation in Africa and act as an impetus to the continent’s economic integration agenda.
Aviation experts believe strongly, that SAATM has all it takes to ensure aviation plays a major role in connecting Africa, promoting its social, economic and political integration and boosting intra-Africa trade and tourism as a result.
The concept was initially created to expedite the full implementation of the Yamoussoukro Decision,a treaty adopted by most members of the African Union which establishes a framework for the liberalisation of air transport services.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi who commended the 18 African counties recently during a meeting with General Edward Katumba Kamala, the Ugandan Minister of Works and Transportation at the Ministry’s headquarters in Kampala, stated that aviation remains the best way for Africa to connect her people and promote inter-Africa business in line with Africa’s 2063 Agenda, as championed by African leaders.
The Minister therefore, advised that, it is in the best interest of all African States to embrace the Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM) and the Yamoussoukro Declaration (YD). SAATM and YD aims at liberalizing intra-African air transport services in terms of market access and seamless air connectivity within the 54 African Countries.
According to Sirika, aviation has a huge market that should be explored by indigenous African Airlines, as no other Nations can develop the aviation sector for the continent, except the Africans.
“We need to do this in the interest of our over 1.37 billion people, which is 17.4% of the world’s population. On this note, I wish to call on Uganda to come on board by joining the other 35 African Nations that have signed the solemn commitment to SAATM, as its benefits are so huge to be ignored”, he added.
The Minister who assured that all the paperwork that would enable Uganda National carrier, Uganda Airlines to commence scheduled direct flights between Nigeria and Uganda said that, one important area that should further enhance the diplomatic relations between both Nigeria and Uganda Countries is direct air connectivity.
He equally promised to give the required political support to ensure early air connectivity between Nigeria and Uganda.
“I am by this Forum assuring all that, on my own part, I would give the necessary support towards facilitating the process in line with extant Regulations and in conformity with the International Civil Aviation (ICAO)’s Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPS). 7”, he added.
He said “the two Countries realised the importance of direct air services between them when their Ministers responsible for Civil Aviation initialled a Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) on 9th October, 2002 in Kampala, Uganda. This was further reviewed on 21st January, 2005 with certain provisions. It is a matter of concern that the subsisting BASA between both Countries is yet to be active as none of the designated airlines have commenced operations.
Nigeria, Sirika said, has taken further step by forwarding the initialled BASA to the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for clearance, which had been reverted to the Ministry of Aviation, albeit, with few amendments to enable the Ministry seek Federal Executive Council (FEC)’s approval preparatory to signing of the BASA by Ministers of both Countries responsible for Civil Aviation.
Gen. Kamala, during the meeting, reiterated his Country’s quest for the operation of direct flight into Nigeria using its national carrier, the Uganda Airlines.
He also sought technical cooperation and collaboration between the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, and the East African Civil Aviation Academy (EACAA), located in Soroti, Ugandan. Equally, the Ugandan Aeronautical Authorities also solicited technical support from Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
The meeting between the two Ministers focused on the review of the subsisting Bilateral Air Services Agreement (BASA) between both countries, which was signed in 2002 and reviewed in 2005.
It also focused on how to give the necessary administrative and technical support to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) agreed during the last International Civil Aviation Negotiation (ICAN) Event which was held in Abuja from 5th to 9th December, 2022.
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.
