JULY 14th, 2015
Among the objectives for the call to scrap the Nigeria Aviation Ministry (without prejudice) are the following:
- Regrettably the Advancement of Aviation Sector in Nigeria has been retarded for the past 45 years (1970 to date) one wonders where the sector will be by 2050?
- Just one Nigeria Airways 45 years ago was stronger healthier and more efficient than 6-10 private schedule airlines economically lying in state today.
Mortality rate of 10-15 years is just too high. Model, ownership, funding & sustainability remain a huge question.
- Traffic and Demand for Air Travel has increased by more than 500%, in the face of acute infrastructural deficit. Government / Private ownership, policy summersault remains the bane.
- MMA the no 1 Nigeria gateway has only D&E fingers since 1978 (37 years) ago.
- Harka and Emirate Airlines recently collided on the Taxiway, in the face of other instances of many others near collisions and air misses in the sky.
- Our airports have no car park so to say. Approach to all the airports is like arriving into a local uncivilized market rather than a serene, clean, lush, good to behold environment as we see it globally.
- Passenger Processing is most cumbersome and detestable world over.
- Personnel lacked Training, Attitude is quite negative and latent with Corruption from desk to desk.
- Nigeria should adopt best model. US alone controls upwards of 45% world air traffic and FAA is the only agency of government for Aviation in the department of Transport (DOT).
Transport ministry should engage in the task of evolving complete primordial system for Nigeria where there is seamless backward and forward transportation integration between Air, Road, Rail, Sea, etc.
- This will evolve a strong and autonomous Nigeria CAA.
- Eliminate duplication of powers and incessant political interference in internationally regulatory functions of the agency. Episode of the last administration where DG was changed daily like underwear remain very fresh
- DG position should be globally advertised and best professional given the mandate.
- Reduction in the cost of governance because funds will be used for other more pressing social needs in the economy.
- The aviation sector presently contributes less than 1 % of Nigeria’s GDP (meager 0.4%) when a small economy such as Spain contributes up to 5%. A grossly underperforming sector.
- All Air Services Agreement has delivered a negative balance of trade between Nigeria and its trade partners throwing National Income into deficit through huge capital flight. The challenge of unstoppable African single open sky policy continues to stare us on the face.
- The list is endless. A more objective-driven CAA with a policy on measurable deliverables for every sector on short to medium and long term plans are earnestly the necessary and sufficient condition for a healthy Nigeria Aviation Sector.
Dr. Gabriel O. Olowo Fnim, Fitp
President
