Aviation stakeholder cautions Chidoka against partisan politics

IKEJA – The President of the Aviation Round Table, Mr Dele Ore, on Wednesday urged the Minister of Aviation, Mr Osita Chidoka, not to play partisan politics in the sector.
Ore, who spoke at a news conference in Ikeja, said that involvement in partisan politics could jeopardise the minister’s agenda for the industry.
He urged the minister to also take stakeholders along for the development of the industry.
“We cannot afford to play politics anymore with the aviation industry,’’ he said.
Ore also urged the minister to ensure that regulations were strengthened to sustain the country’s Category 1 status and advised him to support the private operators by designating them as ‘flag carriers’.
Saying that such support would enhance domestic operators for global competitiveness, he urged the minister to look into the over-dependence on Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt airports.
“Effort should be made to encourage domestic carriers to ply domestic routes currently abandoned for low passenger traffic.
“The minister should ensure that the airports across the country are not abandoned.
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“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria should be assisted to embark on the expansion of the Murtala Muhammed International Cargo Airport which is long overdue,” he said.
Ore said the lingering problem of lack of suitable aircraft maintenance facilities for medium and long haul aircraft should be addressed.
“There should be a public-private partnership project to help the survival of domestic airlines, improve and secure manpower needs and to reduce the capital flight,” he said.
Ore also said that the minister should focus attention on human capital development to guarantee continuity and the development of the system.
He said the Federal Government should take necessary measure towards reducing the high cost of aviation fuel with a view to making it affordable for users.
The theme of the conference was: Suggestions to move the aviation sector forward in Nigeria. (NAN)[eap_ad_3]