The recent Aviation sector study for Nigeria by the International Air Transport Association IATA shows that as at June 2020, air transportation provided 241,000 direct and indirect jobs and contributed 1.7 billion naira to the Nigerian economy.
The Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika disclosed this in Abuja the nation’s capital during a stakeholders forum.
Sirika said “With the successful implementation of the roadmap projects, our overall goal is to grow the Aviation sector’s contribution from the current 0.6% to 5% (approximately $14.166 billion).
“Furthermore, we have successfully debunked the gospel truth that aviation doubles every 15 years. Currently in Nigeria, the number of airports including those currently being developed has doubled, the passenger number has doubled, other entrepreneurship including catering and ground handling has blossomed, a number of airlines are on the rise” Sirika said.
He noted that the Aviation business in Nigeria has made a remarkable achievement by overhauling the operational systems of the agencies under the Ministry.
Senator Sirika listed the following as achievements of the aviation ministry and its agencies
- Establishment of a National Carrier
- Establishment of Maintenance, Repairs and Overhaul, MRO, Centre.
- Establishment of an Aviation Leasing Company, ALC.
- Development of Aerotropolis, Airport Cities.
- Establishment of an Aviation & Aerospace University.
- Concession of five International Airports: Abuja, Lagos, Enugu,
Kano and Port Harcourt.
The Minister said the challenges facing the ministry and its agencies include:
- Inadequate Safety and Security Surveillance Equipment.
- Difficulties in accessing foreign exchange by operators.
- Poor and intolerable condition of airport facilities and equipment
- Long waiting and check-in times.
- Time-consuming security screening and baggage pickups”.
Expanding the Bureau’s mandate
The Director General, Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau, Mr Olateru Akin Olateru said, the bureau’s mandate has now been expanded to investigate rail, road, and sea accidents.
Mr Olateru noted that his Bureau is working with other sister agencies in ensuring that accidents are drastically reduced in Nigeria.
While reeling out the achievements of his Agency, the Director-General Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Professor Mansur Matazu said the agency by providing modern weather forecast equipment is assisting the Nigerian Aviation sector to forecast weather for seamless flights.
The Stakeholders Forum is aimed at providing an overview of the Infrastructural development and other allied achievements in the aviation industry, since the inception of President Muhammadu Buhari’s Administration.
The Forum acknowledged the presence of stakeholders nationally and internationally and pledged to give more support in ensuring that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Industry meets international standards.
Emmanuel Ukoh
