Aviation Ages: September 2016

Hon, Minister of State(Aviation) Sen. Hadi Sirika while addressing the 39th General Assembly

The President of ICAO Council, Secretary General of ICAO, the President of the Assembly, distinguished heads of delegations and States’ delegates, eminent observes here present, members of the media, distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is indeed my honour and privilege on behalf of the Nigerian Delegation, first and foremost extend to you all very warm greetings and felicitations from our President, his Excellency Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the good people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Also let me join other delegations to congratulate the President of the 39^th ICAO General Assembly

We are here to reflect on the developments that have taken place in Aviation industry and to seek new ways of improving them beyond the next triennium. These new strategies should make air transportation more safe, secure, efficient and above all environmentally friendly so as to ensure the growth and sustainability of the aviation industry globally.

In light of the above, Nigeria fully support the ICAO’s “No Country Left Behind” initiative.

I therefore wish to use this opportunity to again call on member states especially the developed countries, financial institutions and donor agencies to support this initiative with a view to assisting this to implement ICAO’s Standard and Recommended Practises.

Nigeria, even prior to this initiative have been collaborating with ICAO and African Civil Aviation Commission, AFCAC to promote safety in the West Africa sub-region through the hosting and subvention funding of Banjul Accord Group Aviation Safety Oversight Organisation (BAGASOO), the Aviation safety organisation which has its headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria Federal Capital Territory. It gladdens my heart to say that as of today, there is no state in our sub-region on the list of state with significant safety concern.

Nigeria will continue to champion the advancement of civil aviation in our sub-region through the continuous hosting and sponsorship of ICAO’s safety, security, air transport and environmental programmes including comprehensive regional implementation plan of aviation safety in Africa . Within the last two years we have made major strides to promote safety in our airspace. This was confirmed with the success recorded by Nigeria in the ICAO audit. We have also successfully retained FAA category One rating. Presently, we are reviewing the primary aviation legislation, Civil Aviation Act 2006 to ensure that Nigeria civil aviation authority continues to exercise requisite power and full autonomy to regulate aviation safety without political interference.

Distinguish delegates, I am equally glad to mention that Nigeria has continue to record significant improvement in the area of aviation security. With the installation of modern security equipment at our airports with continuos implementation of our national aviation security programme and up to date training of aviation security personnel . Only recently we carried out vulnerability analysis of our airports and put in place measures to curb any act of terrorism. Nigeria’s excellent outing at the last ICAO security audit which took place in June 2015 attest to our efforts in this area.

We are however believe that ICAO and member states must continue to put in place proactive measures to curb ever-increasing threat to security of civil aviation. It is also noteworthy to mention that Nigeria continues to participate in the ICAO’s PKD and support ICAO’s effort to provide assistance to other West African states in their resolve to introduce e-passport. We are also in consultation with the United Nation to establish aviation security training schools in Nigeria and these schools will serve not only Nigeria but the entire sub-region. Nigeria reaffirms its believe that ICAO should be the forum through which all aviation technical issues relating to environment must be resolved. I therefore express the full support of Nigeria for the efforts being made by ICAO to minimise the impact of aircraft engine emissions on our environment as well as the work of the council committee on aviation environmental protection .

I will like to use this privileged opportunity to commend ICAO and member states for the adoption of resolution on A37-19 and A38-18 in 2010 and 2013 respectively. This achievement demonstrates to the world the uniqueness of our industry and our ability to put aside our differences for the common good and sustainable development of air transportation.. I therefore wish to appeal that as we deliberate and work towards having a resolution on global market based measures , we should ensure that our decision will not negatively impact the growth of air transportation particularly in the developing and emerging economy. Nigeria on its part has submitted state action plan on environment to ICAO and has been making assiduous efforts to implement the passage of the measure in the action plan to reduce emission. We have continued to pursue a policy of fleet renewal and use of newer and more efficient aircraft by Nigerian operators. Additionally, we have implemented measures to enhance the efficiency of air traffic management including Performance Based Navigation (PBN) as well as to restore solar airfield lighting at our airports among others.

Nigeria remains a major provider of facilities for international civil aviation. The government in its effort to establish Nigeria as an aviation hub for West and Central Africa, it has put in place a Nigeria Aviation Master Plan that included that establishment of new National carrier and Maintenance Repair and Overhaul centre and Aviation Leasing Company and concession of our airports. All of these will be through Public Private Partnership.

We also have developed a policy on Remotely Piloted Aircraft which is being strengthened now to ensure safe and secure aviation in our region. I am however convinced that continued cooperation and collaboration of member states and ICAO facilitate the achievement of aviation safety and security as well as environmental friendly aviation industry globally. One area of collaboration is urgently needed is the capacity building and development especially in the developing states. Nigeria generously contributed to the ICAO’s human development fund. I wish to appeal to member states and donor agencies and partners to donate generously to this fund to help build capacity in developing states.

Distinguish ladies and gentlemen, Nigeria is indeed privilege to have been a member of this august council since 1962 and we truly cherish the opportunity to collaborate with other member states to advance the work of the organisation for greater efficiency and effectiveness in line with ICAO strategic objectives.

In the same spirit, Nigeria will like to use this opportunity to solicit the support of ICAO member state for our re-election into PART 2 of ICAO Council. In addition, Nigeria also request your support for the election and re-election of those African states which has been endorsed by AFCAC to the ICAO Council. Nigeria is also delighted to refer to the candidature of Dr. Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu the Presdient of ICAO Council for re-election to the post of President of the Council in November 2016. We solicit and thank ICAO members states on his candidature. I will not conclude and I will not belabour you with too much but I deem it very important to sign-off by appealing to entire member states to ensure that, No Country is truly Left Behind in their region.

Thank You.

Cargo operation at Enugu airport

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN is increasing cargo operations in the country with the commencement of operations by the Ethiopian Airlines. This is happening at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, the South Eastern state of Nigeria. This is according to a statement by Yakubu Dati,General Manager, Corporate Affairs FAAN.

“Airline operators, service providers and the business community have been called upon to take advantage of the new business opportunity provided by the commencement of international cargo operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu”.

The Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, Engr. Saleh Dunoma stated this in a statement following the commencement of weekly cargo flights by Ethiopian airlines on Thursday, 25th August 2016.

According to Engr Dunoma, this export window provides opportunities for start-ups and cargo related businesses especially in perishable and non perishable produce.

"This will enable our people participate in the export market, earn foreign exchange and contribute to the GDP of the country. "

He further assured that FAAN has put in place, processes and procedures to sustain its commitment to safety, security and passenger comfort.