Capt Muhtar Usman: Creating a value chain for aviation
Abdulyekeen Ibn Umar
Presiding over the affairs of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) is no mean feat, especially if viewed against the background of the challenges facing global aviation. Aviation in Nigeria, quite expectedly has its own fair share of challenges.
Among these challenges are to ensure the sustenance and continuous improvement of the organizations regulatory oversight capabilities. Others are, to guarantee manpower and infrastructural development across the countrys airports and navigational facilities.
To give strength and fulfillment to the Authoritys vision to be one of the leading civil aviation authorities in the world.
Since 2014, when Captain Muhtar Usman assumed office as Director General/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the regulatory agency has gradually lifted the industry from the hitherto myriad of challenges confronting it to an industry that has become the cynosure of global aviation, providing effective leadership at the African region.
Muhtars declaration that his administration would focus on safety, security and comfort in the conduct of flight operations in and out of Nigerian airspace. has been the compass that guides the agency in piloting the affairs of the industry in the past five years.
We will be guided by Annexes of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) and other appropriate legislations and conventions in line with international standards,he declared in 2014 just as he asked for support and cooperation from staff and stakeholders in order to achieve the three- point agenda.
The country’s aviation industry under Captain Muhtar has witnessed massive growth in infrastructure, human capital development, standardisation and stabilization of the industry.
It has attracted and hosted several international conferences and training for NCAA staff and other industry personnel.
This has led to passing consistently in flying colours all International Civil Aviation Organizations (ICAO) Safety and Security audits.
Under his leadership, Nigeria retained the United States of America Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Category One status; the country also successfully undertook the Universal Safety Audit carried out by the industry global regulatory body, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
Of immense importance and recognition for the industry was the Certification of Murtala Mohammed International Airport (MMIA) and Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport (NAIA), Abuja.
This is the first time in the annals of aviation in Nigeria. In DGs words, the airport certification is a safety milestone considering the fact that less than 25 % international airports in the African and Indian Ocean (AFI) region are certified.
As a matter of fact, Nigeria has become the first state in the entire region to have more than one international airport certified.
The Aminu Kano International Airport in Kano and the Port Harcourt International Airport are at advanced stage of certification. Other airports will follow suit accordingly.
On the domestic scene, the leadership of NCAA oversaw the successful review and amendment of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Regulations (NCARs) which took effect from July 2016.
A cheering episode that has equally ranked the countrys aviation industry and airlines on the domestic front high in the comity of nations is that almost all the domestic airlines operating in Nigeria have acquired the International Air Transport Association (IATA) International Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) Certificate.
Muhtar also ensured rigorous audit of Aviation Fuel Vendors, an exercise that has ensured the airline operators use only unadulterated Aviation fuel (Jet A1) in the industry.
The period under review saw improvement in flight operations as weather equipment were deployed to ensure flights take-off even in very low visibility with the review of the weather Minima in 22 airports in Nigeria as well the operational use of the Performance Based Navigation (PBN).
The country also attained level Three (3) in the State Safety Programme (SSP) Implementation Process which was spearheaded by the NCAA.
In February 2018, the Nigeria aviation industry recorded a major feat with the commissioning of an Aero Contractors Aircraft Maintenance Organisation (AMO) for C-Check on Boeing 737 model, the series mostly own by airlines in the country after obtaining approval from NCAA.
The facility has saved billions of naira hitherto ferried abroad by domestic airlines whenever they carry out their checks in maintenance hangers abroad.
Muhtar’s administration has brought to Nigeria a host of international conferences where current issues pertaining to Civil Aviation were discussed and solutions proffered for them.
Prominent among the global gathering on the soil of Nigeria was the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) Symposium for Africa and Indian Ocean which took place between 17th -18th July, 2017.
The country also played host to the global aviation body Carbon Offset and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) Workshop and Seminar from August 23rd – 26th August 2017.
Another ICAO high level workshop on Global Air Navigation Plan (GANP) for aviation CEOs, Directors and General Managers took place on the 23rd-26th October 2017.
The well attended ICAO World Aviation Forum was also held on the 20th-22nd November 2017 in the country’s capital Abuja.
Quite importantly, there are two ICAO certified auditors on the employ of the NCAA. The duo frequently joins other ICAO Auditors from other countries to carry out audits exercise of member countries.
Captain Muhtar’s leadership has provided a level playing field for the industry and encouraged several local and foreign investors to invest in the aviation sector.
This has culminated in several applications for Air Operators Certificate (AOC) and the expansion of the industry.
