Making Air Transport Safe, Secure Is Our Target In Nigeria – Sirika

The Federal Government is on a resolve to making the air transport system in the Country the safest means of transport service, since it would further attract more investors and travellers into the country

Speaking over the weekend at a day’s Summit and Awards organised by the Foreign Airlines Representatives in Nigeria (AFARN) in Lagos with the theme: “Promoting the Nigerian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Through Safety Consciousness in the Aviation Industry,’ Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State for Aviation said that this could however be achieved through upgrade of key infrastructure.

Sirika who was represented at the occasion by Engr. Akin Olateru, the Commissioner for Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB), said that beyond creating the right and conducive atmosphere for aviation business to thrive, players in the sector should not lose sight of the active private sector participation..

Sirika noted that government through various means was encouraging everyone in the system to remain afloat and meaningfully, stressing that through this way, additional jobs would be created for Nigerian youths.

Despite the infrastructure challenge in the sector, Sirika said that the government had achieved some remarkable improvements in the past one year in the sector.

Some of the achievements mentioned by Sirika were the reconstruction of Abuja Airport runway, release of air crashes, improvements and streamlining of travel process, rescue of Arik Air from extinction and the proposed concession of some airports by the Federal Government among others.

“We cannot deny the fact that it is not yet Uhuru. The dynamic nature of aviation practice calls for everybody review,” he added.

In his paper, Engr. Saleh Dunoma, the Managing Director of Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), said that aviation in the country had been a major contributor to the nation’s economic growth and a strategic sector that had created employment, spurred foreign investments, providing linkages to other sectors of the economy.

Dunoma explained that aviation industry in the country provided approximately 93,000 jobs and contributed 0.2 per cent of Nigerian’s GDP.

He added: “The above coupled with other factors account for the aviation sector contributing $1.3 billion (0.2 per cent) to Nigerian GDP, which is summarised as $400m directly contributed through the output of the aviation sector like airlines, airports and ground services.

“$200m indirect contributed through the aviation sector’s supply chain and $100m contributed through the spending by the employees of the aviation sector and its supply chain. In addition, there are $500m in catalytic through tourism and $86.7bn in Foreign Direct Investment, according to the International Air Transport Association (IATA) study December, 2016.”

Besides, Mr. Obi Mbanuzuo, Accountable Manager of Dana Airline Limited, said the GDP of the country could also be enhanced by improving safety awareness and consciousness.

Mbanuzuo said operators must work with the government to ensure provision of safety equipment to facilitate and provide efficient services to the passengers.