Arik Air resumes flights to Sierra Leone

After the World Health Organisation, WHO has declared Sierra Leone Ebola free,  Arik Air is resuming flight services to the country from February 23, 2016.

Flights from Lagos to Freetown were suspended in July 2014 at the outbreak of the Ebola in some West African nations.

According to the airline, “the resumed service will entail a new schedule with flights from Lagos to Freetown now routed via Accra, Ghana. This will be a three weekly flight to be operated on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday using a Boeing 737-800 Next Generation (NG) aircraft configured to carry 20 Business Class and 126 Economy Class passengers.”

Explaining the schedule of the operation, the carrier said the outbound flights will depart Lagos at 7:20 am and arrive Accra at 7:20 am. The flight then departs Accra at 8:05 am and arrives in Freetown at 10:30 am. The inbound flight leaves Freetown at 11:15 am and arrives Accra at 1:40 pm. The flight then continues onto Lagos, leaving Accra at 2:25 pm to arrive into Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos at 4:25 pm. All times are local.

Arik Air made its foray into Freetown in June 2009 and had operated uninterrupted until July 2014.

Arik Air’s Managing Director, Mr. Chris Ndulue said of the resumption of flights to Freetown: “Arik Air is the dominant carrier in West and Central Africa and air travelers in this region look up to us to fly them to their destinations. We want to assure our loyal customers on the Lagos-Freetown route that we are back to deliver the safe, secure and reliable services that are the hallmark of Arik Air.”

Qatar Airways may launch world's longest flight

A planned direct flight between Doha, Qatar, and Auckland, New Zealand, would be the world's longest.

A whopping 18½-hour journey between Doha, Qatar, and Auckland, New Zealand, is poised to become the world's longest direct flight if Qatar Airways follows through with plans for the new route.

Qatar CEO Akbar Al Baker revealed plans for the ultra-long haul in an interview with Bloomberg Business at last week's Bahrain Air Show.

Boeing 777-LR aircraft would be used to make the trip, Bloomberg Business reported. The aircraft can carry 259 passengers.

No word yet on when the airline might start the service.

Currently, the world's longest flight is operated by Qantas between Dallas-Fort Worth and Sydney, according to statistics portal Statista.com.

At 16 hours and 55 minutes (8,577 miles/13,804 km), the Qantas flight's duration falls short of Qatar's proposed Doha-Auckland route (9,034 miles/14,539 km) by more than an hour-and-a-half.

Setting records for flight distance or duration is a moving target. Emirates Airline is set to eclipse current frontrunner Qantas in the spring, when it launches a route from Dubai to Panama City, Panama, that would last 17 hours and 35 minutes.

And Singapore Airlines, which held the record for the longest nonstop flight until 2013, has considered taking the title back with possible resumption of its nearly 19-hour flights between New York and Singapore.

                                                                                                                                          Source: CNN

Royal Air Maroc launches new routes in summer 2016

… connects West Africa to North America

Royal Air Maroc is gearing towards expanding its coast to further allow passengers to have a new feel of their connections. The Moroccan carrier will be connecting from its operating hub in Casablanca to Nairobi Kenya in Africa, Rio De Janeiro Brazil in South America and Washington DC United States of America in North America. According to a statement from the airline, “As part of the development of its international network and connectivity from its Casablanca hub, Royal Air Maroc launch three new Long destinations from summer 2016, Nairobi , Rio De Janeiro and Washington DC. Schedules and days of services programmed for these three new destinations offer good network connectivity and also allows to perfectly connect West Africa to North America for an optimal time to stopover.”

The Nairobi route is proposed to start March 30th, 2016 with service days to be Wednesday and Friday. “Connectivity offered: Europe, Intra-Africa and North America in both directions”.

For the Rio De Janeiro route will commence May 3th, 2016 with Monday, Wednesday and Friday being the service days. On this route, “the transition to 4 frequencies is planned from September 2016.Connectivity offered: Europe, Africa in both directions”.

While the Washington DC route will start on September 10th, 2016 with service days: Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. “Connectivity offered: Europe, Africa in both directions”.

Dangerous Winter Storm Jonas Bringing Crippling Snow, Arik reschedules flight

With the dangerous Winter Storm Jonas in the United States of America many airlines are forced to cancel their flights. Nigeria’s Arik Air  is rescheduling flight. According to the airline, “Following weather advice just received from JFK International Airport New York, Arik Air regrets to inform all its passengers that the Lagos - New York flight for Friday 22nd January has been rescheduled tentatively to 11:30pm (local time) on Sunday 24th January, 2016.

This 48-hour postponement is intended to allow the dangerous winter storm (Jonas) and snow condition to clear before the flight’s entry into the United States airspace.

Arik Air regrets the inconvenience caused by this postponement which is highly regretted, but the safety of passengers is of upper-most importance to the airline.

We would update passengers and confirm our next flight by 6pm Saturday, 23rd January, 2016.”

Winter News in its reports also said a potentially crippling snowstorm has made its way towards the South, Mid-Atlantic and Northeast, bringing with it not just big snow, but ice, high winds and flooding as well. Two people have died due to traffic incidents, and hundreds of crashes have been reported.

In the face of blizzard warnings in D.C., Baltimore, New York City, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, millions of residents are preparing for a havoc-filled weekend. The storm has already brought treacherous travel conditions and power outages across the South. Washington D.C. and at least eight states made emergency declarations: New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Copies of judgment between Air Nigeria and Ex-staff

PRESS RELEASE: AERO CONTRACTORS’ MANAGEMENT POSITION TO THE UNION PROTEST

AERO CONTRACTORS’ MANAGEMENT POSITION TO THE UNION PROTEST

Gentlemen of the Press,

This is our story:

On the 11^th of December 2015, the Chairmen of the Aero Branch of Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and National Union of Air transport Employees (NUATE) in persons of Messrs Emakpor Ayo-Ife and Adeniyi Adenuga requested for management approval through the Human Resources Department to hold a congress meeting on 14^th December 2015.  The request was expressly approved on that premise as it is the practice.

To our surprise and outside the normal operandi of the congress meeting, the Associations stormed our premises with their own Press Crew and Security details in such a predetermined manner and protested within and around the Company premises thereby causing serious embarrassment to our esteemed customers.

In the cause of this protest on 14^th December 2015, two of our staff who are also members of the Association (Messrs Emakpor Ayo-Ife and Adeniyi Adenuga) divulged sensitive Company information to the press which is contrary to the Company Policy and had the tendency to potray the company in bad light.

In line with this, the HR department was directed by management to initiate disciplinary procedure against two of the company’s employees who are incidentally members of these associations for infringements of company policy. To this end, both employees were issued with queries by the Ag. Head of the company’s Human Resources Department and the responses received from these employees’ pointed to the fact that there was a need for the company to carry out investigation into the matter. In line with the policy of our company and international labour laws, when the need arises for an investigation to be conducted concerning infringements of this nature, the company places the relevant staff on suspension pending the outcome of the investigation in order to forestall the employee from interfering with the investigation process.  

 To our dismay and embarrassment, immediately the disciplinary procedure was being initiated by the Human Resources department of the company, the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN) and the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) wrote us letters threatening to disrupt the activities of the company if the disciplinary procedure is not reversed.

We find the attitude of these Associations unacceptable and their disposition towards our company in relation to their biased stand regarding the present issue has led the management of our company to conclude that, in future, these Associations will attempt to frustrate our company’s efforts towards maintaining staff discipline if left unchecked and it is in this vein that we officially reported these Associations to the Labour and Productivity Ministry, copying the Aviation ministry, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority and State Security Service with a plea to look into this matter with the ultimate goal of checking the unwholesome practice of these Associations because of its serious safety implications on our operations as an airline.

The management of Aero is open to discussions and ideas towards resolving labour disagreements. What is unacceptable is the inability of the Union to follow due process in resolving labour issues.

We remain a responsible and responsive organisation that we are. And we will continue to dialogue with the Union once the environment is conducive for such.

Thanking you for the interest in our organisation. We still remain your preferred choice.

faithfully,

For:  AERO CONTRACTORS COMPANY OF NIGERIA LIMITED

IYENE AMAPAKABO

Ag. Managing Director/CEO

Airports Authority of Nigeria to build new corporate office

…To be funded with internal generated revenue

Responding to the advice of the Minister of Transport, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi on the need to have a befitting office, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN is embarking on construction of new edifice to serve as its corporate headquarters.

According to Yakubu Dati, the General Manager Corporate Affairs, “The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria has initiated the process of the construction of a befitting corporate headquarters.”

Dati expressed further that the process commenced with the invitation for  competent and reputable companies to submit Expression of Interest (EOI), for the design and supervision of the construction of a new corporate headquarters for the organization.

“The project, which was advertised in several national dailies and the Federal Tenders Journal on Monday January 11, 2016 and would be funded through the Authority's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) budget for the year 2016.

Submission of "Expression of Interest" for this project would close at exactly 11:30am on Monday, February 29, 2016.”

“It could be recalled that the Honourable Minister of Transport, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on his first visit to the corporate headquarters of FAAN directed that the Authority commence the procedure for the building of a befitting corporate headquarters.”-Dati

NAMA, other agencies organize workshop on runway safety

The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency has announced its readiness to collaborate with other aviation agencies in the country to organize a workshop on runway safety. According to the Acting General Manager on Public Affairs, Mrs. Olajumoke Adetona, “Pursuant to its determination to ensure safety of the nation’s airspace, Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) in collaboration with NCAA, FAAN, AIB, and NIMET and in conjunction with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Airport Council International (ACI) and International Air Transport Association (IATA) is organizing a two-day workshop targeted at improving safety of air navigation within the runway and associated airside facilities at the airport.”

Adetona said the workshop will take place on the 18th and 19th of January, 2016 at the Lagos Sheraton Hotel, with the title: Runway Safety Go Team: Runway Incursion, Excursion and Confusion. It will involve paper presentations from international aviation experts from ICAO, IATA, and ACI, on the above topic as well as the structure and terms of reference of runway safety teams, hazard identification, risk assessment and mitigation. The runway safety workshop is also expected to involve practical assessment of the airside including the runway and associated facilities and thereafter, a report shall be issued at the end of deliberations.

The Managing Director of NAMA, Engr. Ibrahim Abdulsalam noted that the workshop is expected to eventually “culminate into the inauguration of runway safety teams for Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt airports in compliance with ICAO mandate on the establishment of such teams at all international airports,’’ stressing that “the agency took the initiative to facilitate this programme because the responsibility for the safety of aircraft landing and taking off on the runway as well as surface movement of aircraft rests with NAMA.”

Engr. Abdulsalam also revealed that as an ICAO requirement, the runway safety workshop will further prepare the nation for the ICAO Universal Safety Oversight Audit slated for March 2016, just as he expressed optimism that as fallout of the workshop, Nigeria would have developed the required expertise to be able to ensure collaborative effort among stakeholders responsible for runway safety at the four major airports in the country.

The  establishment of runway safety teams is a critical aspect of aviation safety contained in ICAO Resolution A37-6 which makes it a requirement for runway safety teams to be established at all airports in the AFI region. The responsibility of the runway safety teams whose membership cuts across aviation agencies, airlines and security agencies include regularly assessing runways, taxiways, aprons and associated facilities to ensure that identified or potential hazards are promptly mitigated.

Air freight: African carriers record decline in market-IATA

According to data released by The International Air Transport Association (IATA), it shows that Africa is not doing so well in demand but up in capacity despite the key players’ (Nigeria and South Africa) under performance. “African carriers experienced a fall in demand of 6.0%, and capacity rose by 6.6%. Africa remains one of only three regions (with Asia-Pacific and Middle East) to record positive year-to-date growth for 2015. Demand is holding up despite the underperformance of Nigeria and South Africa.”

For global air freight markets, it  shows that  air cargo volumes (measured in Freight Tonne Kilometers) were down 1.2% in November 2015, compared to November 2014. Total cargo volumes, however, expanded compared to October 2015, and were higher than the low point in August. This indicates that the decline in cargo demand may be bottoming out.

The negative year-on-year comparisons occurred across all regions with the exception of the Middle East. Of the major markets that together comprise more than 80% of total trade, Europe was down 2.0%, North America by 3.2%, and Asia-Pacific by 1.5%. The comparative weakness in these regions was driven largely because the performance in November 2014 was very strong. Latin American and African markets also fell, by 6.4% and 6.0% respectively. The Middle East region posted 5.4% growth.

"The freight performance in November was a mixed bag. Although the headline growth rate fell again, and the global economic outlook remains fragile, it appears that parts of Asia-Pacific are growing again and globally, export orders are looking better. In fact, the downward trend in FTK volumes appears to be bottoming out. But there is a great deal of uncertainty. The current volatility of stock markets shows how much the health of the global economy – upon which air cargo depends - remains on a knife-edge," said Tony Tyler, IATA’s Director General and CEO.

FAAN MD unhappy with Turkish Airlines.

 Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN has registered its unacceptability of the recurring issues of baggages with Turkish Airlines at the Abuja airport.
According to a statement from FAAN . "Turkish Airlines has been advised to resolve the recurrent cases of arriving passengers without luggages once and for all, following the latest occurrence .
The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria Engr. Saleh Dunoma stated this at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja where he expressed the Honourable Minister 's displeasure to the the management of Turkish Airlines."

Engr Dunoma  described as unacceptable, this reoccurrence barely two weeks after a similar incident led to a breach of airport security. 

He called for quick and lasting resolution of this unwholesome act capable of disrupting the peace and harmony of the airport .

He however appealed to passengers to remain calm and law abiding as the Authority is making frantic efforts to find a lasting solution and safeguard their rights.

Amaechi sets the ball in Transport

Yakubu Dati

by Yakubu Dati 

" ... leadership courage, within or outside governance , transfers back to, and animates follower, so that when a familiar voice is heard saying "Let us march," it finds the followers not merely ready, but miles ahead."
Wole Soyinka

Since assuming office as Minister of Transport, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has left no one in doubt about his quest to surpass his indelible footprints as Rivers State Governor where he earned his place as first among equals in the committee of State Executives.
For a man who draws admiration for always driving himself, steering the wheels of land, water and air is a familiar terrain.
In appreciating the enormity of the task ahead, he said “the transportation sector holds the key to any economy and forms the basis of all socio-economic interactions."
Following his tour of agencies under his purview alongside the Minister of State, Aviation, Sen. Hadi Sirika, Amaechi was emphatic; "The contribution of the transport sector to the Gross National Product is an unacceptable 1.41%. For a sector that plays a major role in the nation’s development, there is an urgent need to exploit the opportunities that abound within the sector to improve its contribution to the national economy."
From the boat ride from the Nigeria Ports Authority headquarters in Lagos, Marina, to the Tin Can Port across the Atlantic Ocean, the Ministers saw vast potentials in the sector, insisting that we can, like South Korea and Singapore, build our economies around a vibrant transportation sector.
From the Shippers Council in Apapa to the train ride at the  Railways headquarters, the narrative is reinforced; “Although Nigeria is blessed with multiple modes of transportation that is the envy of many, these potentials have largely remained untapped."
By the time the team arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the picture was complete; “Our air transport and railways sub-sectors hold the key to unlocking the vast potentials in our cities and rural areas."
Following the tour of the flagship airport in Lagos which took a whooping eight hours, he had this to say;
“I am impressed by what we have seen. When people express dissatisfaction with the airport they are looking at the terminal only but there are a lot of things that have been achieved to make aircraft fly safely."

Many are want to ask, what must have elicited such commendation from a sector bedevilled with briefcase stakeholders who have built an empire from rehash of half truths?

The duo of Rt Hon Amaechi and Sen. Sirika who insists on seeing things first hand toured the aviation facilities extensively, often times breaking the itinerary to make unscheduled stops at the terminal basement, conveyor belts, escalators and the toilets. 

The team were treated to a fine mix of modern technology and human expertise by the aviation agencies and private sector operators.

 At the end of the three day tour, he hit the nail on the head:

"The Buhari administration is determined to fully exploit the potentials in the transportation sector with a view to enhancing national integration by encouraging mass transit of passengers and goods between and across the geographical regions of the country."
The milestones were clear, safety is priority.

The expeditious completion of ongoing airports remodelling projects in Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and the decongestion of airport access roads will be prioritised.
The Railways and Marine sub-sectors will be reinvigorated. The movement of petroleum products by rail will be re-introduced in 2016

 and the clearance of good at the ports will be within 48 - hours time period.
These visions appear larger than life to the uninitiated, but to the Lion of the Niger Delta it's yet another river to cross.
According to Magnus Abe, “if one must summarise the story of his life in three words, those words would be service, activism and compassion. "
"Amaechi keeps to his word. His firm conviction that a man is as good as his word has led him into and through many travails in his life and no matter the personal sacrifice and pain, he tries to stand by what he had agreed to, no matter whose ox is gored, sometimes including his own ox"
These testimonials from Sen. Magnus Abe who sojourned with Amaechi as a State legislator, SSG and Distinguished Senator over a span of two decades confirms that Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi walks the talk.
Tighten your seat belts!

Yakubu Dati, 

General Manager, Corporate Affairs 

 Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria  (FAAN) 

writes from Lagos. 

Katsina airport : “Work at the terminal has been completed”-FAAN MD

Engr Saleh Dunoma FAAN MD

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr Saleh Dunoma has stated that the Katsina airport terminal would be commissioned any moment from now, as work at the terminal has been completed.

He also stated that  FAAN will continue to prioritize Safety and Security in line with international best practices.

Speaking at the airport while inspecting the facility, he noted that the Authority is presently putting finishing touches for final takeover of the New Terminal .

Engr Dunoma highlighted the strategic importance and relevance of the airport as an alternate airport to key airports in the northern part of the nation, stating that the terminal would add substantial value to the revenue generation drive of the organisation through annual hajj operations.

The MD was received on arrival by the Airport Manager, Bello Giyade, who led the inspection of facilities comprising the arrival and departure halls, scanning machines, conveyor belts and other facilities.

The team of experts who accompanied the Managing Director included Engr Nurudeen Salisu Daura, GM Electrical, Arc Niger Temlong, GM Procurement  and Zakari Mahmud, Regional General Manager North among others.

The airport constructed in 1991 was being operated as airstrip before being upgraded to operate standard operations.

Arik Air partners Wildekrans to upgrades its in-flight hospitality

Upgrading its in-flight hospitality, Arik Air has chosen to partner with the Wildekrans Wine Estate, from Cape Town city centre in South Africa.

According to a statement from the carrier, “Each of Arik’s long haul services – New York, London and Johannesburg – will have a ‘From Our Cellar’ wine menu card in Premier Business Class that will be offered with food menu.”

The boutique vineyard is located in Cape Town and will supply the airline’s Premier Class and Economy Class wines.  The Wildekrans Wine Estate is just an hour away from Cape Town city centre, so Arik Air is pleased to be supporting local wine producers.

Soon to be experienced on domestic and regional routes, “The new wine selection will be progressively introduced to all domestic and regional Business Class services (those departing after 10am) during the course of the next few months.”

"Split between the two travel classes, the Economy drinks choices will include Sauvignon Blanc and Merlot while Business Class passengers will have a selection of Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, Cabernet Franc Merlot and the sparkling Method Cap Classique Chenin. Additionally, the airline will continue to carry Champagne in Premier Business Class on all long haul services."

Dr. Michael Arumemi-Ikhide, CEO of Arik Air, said: “We are constantly aiming to ensure our customers receive the very best services, which are always of the highest standards. With the introduction of our new premium local wines, we continue to develop our on-board experience which reflects our commitment to quality. We do hope that customers will enjoy the new selection.”

‘TURKISH AIRLINES RECOMPENSES PASSENGERS’-NCAA

Consequence to the intervention of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),Turkish Airlines have paid the prescribed compensation to all the passengers whose luggage were delayed in the infamous Flight  TK 624 scheduled service from Istanbul to Abuja.

According to the spokesman of the agency Samuel Adurogboye,  through a statement said the Airline under the supervision of the Consumer Protection Officers (CPO) of the Regulatory Authority ensured that all the passengers were paid full monetary compensation as contained in the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (Nig.CARs).

In addition, a cargo flight and an Airbus were arranged to freight to Abuja,Nigeria,all contentious backlog of baggage that were earlier short landed.

All concerned passengers have collected same as at the time of this report.

These were contained in a report of the investigation carried out by NCAA over the recent Tarmac Intrusion by Turkish Airlines passengers submitted to the Director General, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA),Capt. Muhtar Usman.

There were several observations and recommendations in the report. These include provision of sign ages informing passengers of possible penalties of unlawful acts at the airport.

Furthermore, clear cut penalties arising from unlawful acts should be displayed to serve as deterrent to would be violators.

The Close Circuit Television(CCTV) footage will be deployed and the Turkish Airlines should assist in identifying the unruly passengers for prosecution to dissuade others from carrying out similar acts subsequently.

In the course of the final phase of the investigation, salient questions will be asked concerning airport management. If established sanctions will be applied for violating access control requirements in the National Civil Aviation Security Programme (NCASP) chapters 4.5 (a),6.1.4.6.2.1 and 6.3.2.

Also, the requirements of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations Part 17 section 17.37.1-3.

NCAA has also directed the appropriate Agencies to put up appropriate control mechanism strong enough to prevent unauthorized access to restricted  areas of the airports  forthwith..

These recommendations and others would be implemented to the letter to fore close and mitigate future occurrence.

Nigeria’s airport authority prepares to handle 30m passenger

.... Records crime free yuletide celebrations

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN says its gearing up towards handling the expected 30 millions passengers traffic at the completion of work at the international airport terminal building in Lagos.

FAAN presently handle 15 million passengers but has projected an additional traffic of 15million this year with the completion of the terminal in Lagos.

Speaking to aviation correspondents in his office on the activities the agency on traffic management before and after the yuletide period, the general manager corporate communications, Mr Yakubu Dati said except for the Turkish airline's passengers breach that it was a hitch and seamless passengers facilitation.

Dati revealed that FAAN security operatives and other security agencies deployed detective machines such as screening machine, CCTV, full body scanners and personal intelligence  to ensure easy facilitation of passengers.

He expressed optimism a more safe and secured airport will be in place witnessed this year when the new terminals under construction will be completed and passengers will have that experience they always enjoy outside the shores. "With the completion of the new terminal in Lagos, the terminal will be able to process  additional 15 million passengers which means we will able to service about 30 million passengers. All these are things put together to raise aviation to a new level this year"

Dati said security has been repositioned across the airports with a view to meeting the challenges ahead adding that FAAN was looking forward to partnering with investors as a result of dwindling resources in line with the minister's statement.

He appealed to FAAN concessionaire especially airlines to pay their debts to agencies in order to enable them to continue rendering services to them.

On the preparation for the forthcoming International Civil Aviation Organisation ICAO audit in March, Dati revealed that what looked like a mock exercise towards the audit was conducted by the Airport Council International ACI team during their visit on their invitation by the managing director of FAAN.

According to Dati, ACI team during the visit to facilities at the airport, some open areas identified will be closed before the audit date adding that the country will scale through and was doing everything possible to ensure that the country will not disappoint Dr Bernard Aliu as a Nigeria and as the ICAO president.

On the certification of airports in the country, Dati said a team was working round the clock with other agencies to ensure that all gaps were closed.

While advised airport users especially passengers not leave any luggage behind as any unattended luggage will be destroyed, Dati warned further that passenger to adhere strictly to airport rules and regulations and not to carry any luggage not belonging to them.

He commended the minister's for their visits to the airports to acquaint themselves with facilities on ground with a view to addressing lapses.

FIRST BRIEFING BY THE HONORABLE MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION ON WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23rd, 2015

RT Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON Hon Minister of Transport

Protocol

We are delighted to welcome you to this first interaction with our media stakeholders in the transportation sector. We are certain this would be the first of many such interactions in the light of

President Buhari administration’s commitment to accountability and open government. Since we assumed office as ministers, I and my colleague the Honourable Minster of State Aviation have received briefs from different departments and agencies of the  ministry and have also embarked on a fact finding tour. These briefings and tour have enabled us to firm our work plan and policy direction in line with the determination of this administration to lay solid foundation, and improve critical infrastructure that will reflate our economy. The transportation sector holds the key to any economy and forms the basis of all socio-economic interactions. Like many other countries, Nigeria suffers the bane of inadequate transportation but perhaps worse than other countries. Nigeria’s huge population puts enormous pressure on a very poor transport infrastructure that bedevils the nation. The problems of Nigerian transport system include bad roads, inadequate fleet of busses and trucks; irregular and inadequate trains and airplanes services and congested ports. In line with these, are physical problems such as the dearth of suitably trained transport managers and planners, capital restructuring bottlenecks, serious issues of institutional reforms and ineffective traffic regulations. The contribution of the transport sector to the Gross National Product is an unacceptable 1.41%. For a sector that plays a major role in the nation’s development, there is an urgent need to exploit the opportunities that abound within the sector to improve its contribution to the national economy. Countries like South Korea and Singapore have built their economies around a vibrant transportation sector. Although Nigeria is blessed with multiple modes of transportation that is the envy of many, these potentials have largely remained untapped. Our air transport and railways sub-sectors hold the key to unlocking the vast potentials in our cities and rural areas. The Buhari administration is determined to fully exploit the potentials in the transportation sector. As a first step, the government will pursue the enactment of legislation that will open up the sector to new investments that will lead to economic prosperity. Among the bills that is ready for legislative action is the National Transport Commission Bill - an act to provide for the establishment of a National Transport Commission as an independent multi-modal economic regulator and other related matters. This bill among others have been approved by the Federal Executive Council in March 2014.

Railways

This sub sector has suffered significant neglect in the past though it is the most effective and cheapest mode of mass transportation for both passengers and freight. During the hey days of Nigerian

Railway Corporation, railway was the fastest means of transporting mass freight between different regions of the nation thus reducing pressure on road usage; these included petroleum and agricultural products. The current state of the railway is an indication of the serious neglect of this important sub-sector occasioned by poor policy initiation and implementation. This has led to the proliferation of privately owned and operated road haulage services resulting in unregulated and chaotic situation on the nations roads. Nigerian Railway Corporation has been effectively reduced to an economically unviable venture dependent on government subvention without any return on the huge investments. The present administration is determined to revamp the railway sector with a view to enhancing national integration by encouraging mass transit of passengers and goods between and across the geographical regions of the country. The immediate impact will be the reduction of haulage of heavy cargoes by roads thus reducing road damage and increasing the life span of roads. The movement of petroleum products by rail will be re-introduced in 2016. As you are aware, we have commenced and almost completed the narrow gauge rehabilitation which will be retained

for the movement of cargoes. At the same time massive investments into the standard gauge to link most parts of the country with faster trains for passenger movements has begun. In 2016, we hope to complete work on the Abuja-Kaduna railway line as Mr. President is highly committed to it. Work will start in earnest on the standard gauge on the following routes:

1. Calabar-Lagos line which will transverse the following towns and cities. Obudu Cattle Ranch-Calabar-Uyo-Aba-PHYenagoa-Otuoke-Yenagoa-Ughelli-Sapele-Benin-AgborAsaba-Onitsha-Benin-IjebuOde-Ore-Sagamu-Lagos  Seaports.

2. Lagos-Kano. Lagos-Ibadan-Ilorin-Minna-Kaduna- Kano.

The construction of new lines and rehabilitation of old railway lines will generate over 250,000 direct jobs and more indirect jobs while having multi-plier effect on economic activities. With the resuscitation of commercial traffic from Port Harcourt to Aba amongst others, we have begun the revitalization of this key sub-sector of the Nigerian economy.

MARITIME

The maritime sector globally is largely private sector driven with governments providing the appropriate policy and regulatory framework to improve investments and safeguard the nation’s waterways. In Nigeria, the potentials in the maritime sector remains largely untapped. This sector’s contribution to the nations GDP is appreciable. Government will implement policies that encourage private sector participation and investments towards diversification and growth of the nations economy.

Government will streamline all the agencies in the maritime sector for a more effective and efficient performance to meet the expectations of all stakeholders. For example is attempt to improve improve the clearance of good at the reports within 48 hours time period.

AVIATION

The aviation industry in Nigeria has not been without its peculiar problems in the recent past which includes but not limited to weak airlines and decaying infrastructure. The ministry of transportation

in collaboration with relevant parastatals and agencies have drawn up short term plans that are currently being implemented of which the traveling public will take notice of the improvements in  the not distant future. These plans include the expeditious completion of on going airports remodeling projects at Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt and the decongestion of airports access roads among several others. The new terminal in Lagos will generate additional 15 million passengers annually making a total of 30 million passengers yearly nationwide. The medium and long term plans will require significant investments to upgrade and expand infrastructures to meet current and future requirements.

As a result of limited resources for capital projects development, government is exploring the possibility of private sector participation to towards the realization of the industries’ potentials.

The ministerial committee on the National Airline has submitted its report the President which the government is studying carefully and will announce its decision in due course.

In June of this year, Nigeria scored 96.45% during the International Civil Aviation Security Audit. Despite this feat, the nation can ill afford to let its guards down considering recent events in the international scene where passenger airplanes have been blown out of the skies. Subsequently in accordance with the

Nigerian Civil Aviation Security Program (NCASP) and International Aviation Organization (ICAO) annex 17, the Federal Government is looking to overhaul and streamline the security apparatus at the nations airports for a seamless and more effective security surveillance and enforcement. This will also

improve facilitation and passenger experience.. The use of appropriate technology and customized training for security personnel will play a major role in this process. The purpose of all these measures is to work smarter in achieving stated goals and targets.

With regards to the operators and service providers, they must operate within the ambit of Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations and  International Civil Aviation Organization Standards and

Recommended Practices (SARPS) or face the full wrath of the law and extant regulations. This has become necessary as we cannot afford any mishap. Ladies and gentlemen, safety and security is non negotiable.

CONCLUSION

Efforts will be re-doubled towards the recovery of debts owed to the ministry and all its parastatals and agencies to mitigate the effects of dwindling resources. The ministry through its regulatory agencies will ensure strict compliance with all laws and regulations. In this regard there will no sacred cows. All stakeholders in the transportation sector are encouraged to join hands with the government towards building a virile, vibrant and profitable industry.

Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, having toured the various parastatals and agencies; the enormity of the tasks ahead has become much clearer. The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is in the process of developing a national transportation masterplan that will be implemented as a fulfillment one of his campaign promises to diversify the national economy while improving non oil sector revenues. While reducing dependence on oil revenues it will also develop the rural economy, reduce unemployment and urban drift. We understand and appreciate the issues clearly and are committed to ensuring the goals and targets of the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government in the transportation sector are met in earnest for the benefits of our people and the nation.

I thank you for listening, God bless you all and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

RT Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON

Hon Minister of Transport

December 2015