Pilots, engineers, others proffer solution to aviation devt

Stakeholders, comprising of pilots, Engineers and other in the Nation’s aviation sector have proffered lasting solutions on how to develop and make aviation industry viable and contribute optimally to the GDP.

Speaking during the 14th National Delegates Conference and Symposium of the National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, NAAPE, held at Port Hacourt, participants concluded that the Federal Government has a lot to do in terms of aviation development in areas of policies, manpower development, local content, professionalism amongst others.

In his own views at the conference with the theme : “The Role of Aviation Professionals in Aviation Development” , former governor of AkwaIbom State, Air Comodore Indongesit Nkanga said that air transport support the country GDP and should therefore be given adequate attention.

Nkanga who advised that what aviation is to Ethiopia is what oil should be in Nigeria said that while government has a role to play professionals should ensure to live up to expectations.

According to Nkanga “We generally know that air transport support the country’s GDP and the galaxies of professionals are drivers of the industry. The aviation rofessionals should have good exposure to the new system since the industry is fast developing. Don’t live in your little world, rather, try to find out what is happening in other places. They should be quick to learn, unlearn and relearn”.

He added that young aviation pros should be ready to be mentored from senior colleagues, stressing that such move is the only way to grow.

“They should attend conferences worldwide. Aviation being a highly reported industry are not compromised. This will boost confidence of their customers”, Nkanga said.

The former governor said that professionals should endeavour to procure genuine and best equipment for operations, adding that they should not compromise standard.

In his contribution, former Director Airworthiness and standards Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, Engr Benedict Adeyelika stated that all operators in the industry are very important, urging all professionals to work as a team.

Lamenting that aircraft engineers are suffering and that they have not been rewarded compared to their white counterparts, EngrAdeyelika said “Aviation is a peculiar industry and also additive; it has gone a long way. The Nigerian College Aviation Technology, NCAT has produced a lot of professionals but that is not really good enough. NCAA has every department you can you can think of. I therefore implore the government to continue to do more than we are doing now”.

To former Director of Flight Operations, Nigerian Airways, Capt Dele Ore, Nigerian pilots needs to be given more opportunities in their country.

“Allowing only whites on Nigerian registered aircraft is a security risk. Every aircraft must have a Nigerian Pilot on the cockpit. We should look at the National Aviation policy. We have problems that has to do with professionals not recognised. Nigerian professionals should have been assembling aircraft locally but unfortunately, it was exported to Brazil”.

Commending the Aviation Minister, Senator HadiSirika, Ore said that the new set up in the ministry is promising, just as he urged a review of the National Aviation policy.

Outgoing President of NAAPE, Engr Isaac Balami said that it was important that Nigerian pilots are encouraged.

He said “There are plans underway to introduce employment of Nigerian Pilots into the National Aviation policy. When pilots are allowed in the cockpit, they sooner or later become captains while the senior ones retire. We should take a cue from Kenya that gives only 3 months visa to aircraft engineerno matter how good you are”.

“There is a need for us to allow NCAA to be autonomous. Another issue that Aviation plays in key role in the development of the economy. If government wants to fix aviation, they should first fix NCAA, NAMA FAAN and others. Lack of national carrier has affected us so much. Government should fasttrack and intensify efforts on the national carrier that should be public driven, so that we can create jobs”, Balami said.

The national delegates’ conference and symposium held at the Hotel Presidential Port Harcourt was closely followed by an election where engineer Galadima Abednego of Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) was elected as the new president of NAAPE.

The conference equally attracted industry players and people from all walks of life including the former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Air Commodore Indongesit Nkanga, former Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority NCAA, Engr Benedict Adeyelika amongst others.

Chukwuemeke Iwelunmo