FG mulls return of National Air carrier

*Set to control engagement of expatriates

The federal government is considering re-establishing a national air carrier for the aviation sector.

The government also said that and as soon as necessary approvals are given, the deal will be done.

An indication to these was given by the Minister of State, Aviation Sector Hadi Sirika when members of the Joint
Aviation Trade Unions and Professional Associations Forum (Head of the different trade union in the aviation sector), visited him in his office in Abuja.

Sirika also said the Federal Government has put in place a policy to control the engagement of expatriate in the Aviation Sector, who would operate the airline along with local professionals.

Sirika said that the only areas where expatriates will be engaged will be where there is no licensed Nigerian professionals to handle.

He said this policy would help to engage the Nigerian teeming professionals, ‘who do not have jobs’, adding that the government was eager to do what is correct and proper to develop the aviation industry.

He said, there is no reason we could not fix aviation now, as he, a seasoned aviator heads the industry in Nigeria; and three other Nigerians (President, General Secretary and Second Vice President) at the leadership of ICAO Council, the highest aviation body in the world.

Concerning Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Sirika said the upgrade of the school was ongoing, stressing its status as a regional centre of excellence and approval of Automated Fire and Smoke Simulator as part of the upgrade.

Sirika added that the construction of a second runway was on course, saying that monies were budgeted for it in the 2017 budget; and that the 2018 budget will also make a provision for the Runway, and is expected to be ready before the expiration of this government’s term in 2019.

The Chairman, Joint Aviation Trade Unions and Professional Associations Forum, Barr. Safiyanu Daudu Mohammed, who spoke earlier, said the visit of the Joint Trade Unions was to foster partnership with the government to see how best to fix and move aviation sector forward.

The federal government is considering the re-establishment of a national air carrier for the aviation sector and as soon as necessary approvals are given, the deal will be done.

Minister of State, Aviation Sector Hadi Sirika disclosed this when members of the Joint Aviation Trade Unions and Professional Associations Forum (Head of the different trade union in the aviation sector) visited him in his office in Abuja.

To this end, Sirika also said the federal government has put in place a policy to control the engagement of expatriate in the Aviation Sector.

According to the policy, the only areas where expatriates will be engaged will be areas where there is no licensed Nigerian professionals to handle.

He said this policy will help to engage the Nigerian teeming professionals who do not have jobs’, adding that the government was eager to do what is correct and proper to develop the aviation industry.

Furthermore, he said, there is no reason why we cannot fix aviation now as he, a seasoned aviator heads the industry in Nigeria and three other Nigerians (President, General Secretary and Second Vice President) at the leadership of ICAO Council, the highest aviation body in the world.

Concerning Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Sirika said upgrade of the school was ongoing, stressing its status as a regional Centre of Excellence and approval of Automated Fire and Smoke Simulator as part of the upgrade.

Senator Hadi Sirika added that the construction of a second runway was on course as preliminary consultations are on. He said monies were budgeted for it in 2017 budget and that the 2018 budget will also make a provision for the Runway which in government thinking will be ready before the expiration of this government’s term in 2019.

The Chairman, Joint Aviation Trade Unions and Professional Associations Forum, Barr. Safiyanu Daudu Mohammed who spoke earlier said the visit of the Joint Trade Unions was to foster partnership with the government to see how best to fix and move aviation sector forward.