FG to review aviation policy ... Minister

… Supports ICAO President for another tenure.

R-L: Minister of State(Aviation) Sen. Hadi Sirika and ICAO President, Dr. O.B Aliu in Canada

The Civil Aviation Policy would be reviewed in order to accommodate the planned policies of this government which would include a Master Plan to reform institutions, airports (domestic and international hubs) and national airlines, to provide domestic and international services.

According to an online statement from Yakubu Dati, GM Corporate Affairs FAAN, ‘The Minister of State, Aviation, Sen Hadi Sirika stated this during the  ICAO 2015 World  Aviation Forum holding in Montreal, Canada, 23 - 25 November 2015.’

According to the Minister, "Nigeria, under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, will continue to upgrade and develop aviation infrastructure to improve aviation safety and security, thus creating an enabling environment for growth of airlines and other service providers, as well as protecting the interest of aviation end-users.”

In a keynote address, the ICAO President, Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu said it was a key goal for the  organization to assist member States to the fullest extent,  possible with respect to the implementation of ICAO standards and policies.

He added  "Only in this way can we ensure that 'No Country is Left Behind' and optimize the socio-economic benefits which derive from safe, secure, and reliable air transport in Africa, fully in line with local needs and expectations."

The Canadian Minister of Transport,  Marc Garneau welcomed delegates and solicited greater collaboration and understanding among nations and peoples of the world.

Several speakers including the Colombian Minster of Transport, the Secretary General of World Tourism Organization  (UNWTO), DG of the European Commission as well as China and the US emphasized the connection between the effective implementation of global aviation standards and policies and the social and economic benefits.

The high powered Nigerian delegation led by the  Minister of State, Aviation included the Canadian Acting Ambassador, Ja'afar Mohammed Balarabe, Directors from the Ministry of Aviation and CEOs of aviation parastatals who provided technical support.

The Forum drew participants from 99 countries on its first day.

 

Minister of State(Aviation) Sen. Hadi Sirika and ICAO President, Dr. O.B Aliu  with aviation agencies' CEOs in  Canada

Also, the Federal Government will support Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu,  President of ICAO for another term in office.

Sen. Hadi Sirika, the Minister of State, Aviation stated this at the ICAO headquarters in Montreal on November, 2015 while on a visit to the President-in-council.

According to him, Dr Aliu had nurtured the organisation in its role of being an enabler for the development of international civil aviation,  thereby enhancing  friendship and understanding among nations and Peoples of the world.

He cited some of Aliu’s his laudable projects such as the 'No Country is Left Behind" policy, aimed at providing more direct assistance to States, especially developing countries.

He promised to leverage on the office of the President-in-council to deepen development in the country’s aviation industry.

The Minister who was accompanied by the Acting Nigerian Ambassador to Canada, Balarabe Ja'afar Mohammed and top echelon of Nigerian aviation also urged Dr Aliu to continue to take his job in the organisation as a worthy ambassador.

In his response, Dr Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu congratulated Sen Hadi Sirika on his appointment and expressed confidence that he would bring his experience as an aviation expert, to bear on his office.

He called for the upgrading of the Nigeria College of Aviation Technology  (NCAT), Zaria, into a regional institution in the African sub region, promising to support such initiative.

It would be recalled that the ICAO President in Council, Dr Aliu assumed leadership of this global aviation body on  Nov 13, 2013, as the first African to head this global body with membership of almost 200 countries.

The Minister of State also visited the Nigeria office at ICAO headquarters where he was received by the representative of Nigeria on ICAO council, Mr Martins Nwafor.