By 
Anxiety is rife in the Nigerian aviation sector at the moment following news that the Federal Government would shortly unveil a new national aviation policy.
The anxiety is coming on the heels of the Minister of State, Aviation, Captain Hadi Sirika’s disclosure that the Federal Government would unveil a new national aviation policy within a fortnight.
Within the industry, there has been considerable concern that the Buhari adminstration intends to set up a new national carrier, rather than embrace the alternative proposal of assisting one of the existing indigenous airlines currently doing business on the local and international turfs to grow bigger and stronger, and ultimately fill the role of national carrier.
The minister’s revelation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja by Sunday Iyogu, the Principal Information Officer in the minister’s office.
According to the statement, Mr. Sirika made the disclosure when a delegation from the Department for International Development (DFID) Nigeria, led by its Deputy Head, Nick Hamer, paid him a courtesy visit.
He said the ministry would engage relevant parties, the media and members of the public, to acquaint them on government’s policy direction and programmes towards actualising the change agenda in the sector.
The minister said the government recognised DFID’s positive participation in the social and economic activities of Nigeria, of which the nation had benefited from investments and guidance of the British Government.
Mr. Sirika, therefore, pledged the readiness of the government for continuous support and partnership with the DFID where necessary.
Earlier, Mr. Hamer had said that the visit was to explore areas of partnership in aviation sector especially in the area of security and safety of the nation’s airports and users.
“DFID is a United Kingdom Government’s department responsible for administering overseas aid and the goal of the department is to promote sustainable development and eliminate world poverty,” he said.
Comments